Maruyama Nobuyuki, Mikami Bunzo, Utsumi Shigeru
Laboratory of Food Quality Design and Development, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2011;75(5):823-8. doi: 10.1271/bbb.100924. Epub 2011 May 20.
Seed storage proteins are a major component of mature seeds. They are utilized as protein sources in foods. We designed seed storage proteins containing bioactive peptides based on their three-dimensional structures. Furthermore, to create crops with enhanced food qualities, we developed transgenic crops producing seed storage proteins with bioactive peptides. This strategy promises to prevent lifestyle-related diseases by simple daily food consumption. In this review, we discuss a strategy to develop transgenic crops to improve human health by advanced utilization of seed storage proteins.