Detection and quantification of soy allergens in food: study of two commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of 2 commercially available soy enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and use them in detecting soy proteins in selected food commodities. Both ELISA kits exhibited high sensitivity. The determined limits of detection (LOD) (approximately 2 and <1 microg/mL for Tepnel Biosystems and Elisa Systems kits, respectively) were lower than those claimed by the manufacturer. Quantification range for both kits was, however, narrower and in a lower concentration range than defined by the kit providers. Our examination revealed a positive cross-reactivity with chickpea proteins and matrix interferences for both kits. The immunoreactivity of soy proteins, when tested by the Tepnel Biosystems kit, was partially reduced by papain and bromelain hydrolysis; it was significantly decreased by protein glycation (>47%). Nondenatured and nonheated soy protein isolate (SPI) samples were also significantly less antigenic than the treated ones.

Global mapping of the yeast genetic interaction network.

A genetic interaction network containing approximately 1000 genes and approximately 4000 interactions was mapped by crossing mutations in 132 different query genes into a set of approximately 4700 viable gene yeast deletion mutants and scoring the double mutant progeny for fitness defects. Network connectivity was predictive of function because interactions often occurred among functionally related genes, and similar patterns of interactions tended to identify components of the same pathway. The genetic network exhibited dense local neighborhoods; therefore, the position of a gene on a partially mapped network is predictive of other genetic interactions. Because digenic interactions are common in yeast, similar networks may underlie the complex genetics associated with inherited phenotypes in other organisms.