Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Albany, California » Western Regional Research Center » Healthy Processed Foods Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #420417
Research Project: Prevention of Obesity Related Metabolic Diseases by Bioactive Components of Food Processing Waste Byproducts and Mitigation of Food Allergies

Location: Healthy Processed Foods Research

Title: Different isoforms of the 11S seed storage protein of hazelnut form hetero hexamers

Author
item Zhang, Yuzhu
item GUO, FENG - Exelixis, Inc
item HOWARD, ANDREW - Illinois Institute Of Technology
item Xu, Yixiang

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/25/2025
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Proteins are essential in human nutrition, and plant-based protein products are becoming increasingly popular. The 11S seed storage protein is one of the most abundant proteins in edible seeds of many plants, especially in pulses and tree nuts. Thus, information about the 11S proteins’ production, transportation, and accumulation in different parts of the seed and their allergenicity are much needed for research to improve crop quality. However, the 11S storage proteins from many plants are also food allergens. Information about the allergens' physical, chemical, and immunological properties is also needed for research to enhance food quality and safety. This study reports the determination of the crystal structure of Cor a 9, the 11S storage protein of hazelnut and a food allergen. The structure was refined to 1.92 Å, and the R and Rfree for the refined structure are 17.6% and 22.2%, respectively. The structure of Cor a 9 showed a hetero hexamer of an 11S seed storage protein for the first time. The hexamer was made of two identical trimers associated back-to-back. The trimer consists of three different isoforms of the 11S protein. More than one isoform of the 11S proteins exists in many species. But it is the first time the 11S protein in any species is shown to be hetero hexamers. The result may be used to understand the allergenicity of the 11S allergens and help enhance the marketability of tree nuts.