Development of low allergen soybean seeds using molecular markers for the p34 allele

Abstract

A mutation in the gene encoding the P34 protein in soybean which affects allergenicity is characterized. Soybean homozygous for a mutant allele comprising a four base pair insertion at the start codon of the gene encoding the P34 protein, exhibit significantly reduced P34 protein accumulation. Nucleic acid samples of soybean may be assayed for the presence of this insertion to detect the mutant allele, and soybean containing the allele may be selected for breeding to generate reduced P34 soybean lines. Molecular markers have been developed for detecting the presence or absence of the four base pair insertion.