Analysis of the distribution of the major soybean seed allergens in a core collection of Glycine max accessions

P34 is an outlying member of the papain-superfamily of cysteine proteases that is expressed in developing soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] seeds and may be involved in the defense against Pseudomonas infection. P34 is the major human allergen of soybean seeds and is present in processed food products that contain soybean protein. We have surveyed a core collection of soybean accessions using a monoclonal antibody against P34 and with human sera from soybean-sensitive individuals. We found that the accessions of soybean surveyed contain similar levels of P34 and that P34 is the major allergenic protein. We have also surveyed wild relatives or soybean and found that P34 was present in the examples assayed. These results indicate that it may not be possible to eliminate P34 from the food supply by breeding with an improved germplasm base.