DNA microarray analyses of the effects of dietary proteins

Dietary proteins and amino acids serve not only as a building block for body components but also as regulators of a variety of body functions. A great many of the functions of ingested proteins, their peptide fragments, and amino acids have been characterized and some have been brought to practical application. Using a GeneChip DNA microarray system, we first compared the gene expression profiles among rats fed on 12% casein, 12% gluten, and protein-free diets for one week. The results revealed that a few hundred genes in the liver and muscle were up- or down-regulated by more than two-fold after feeding of the gluten or the protein-free diet. Interesting findings included the induction of genes for synthesis and catabolism of cholesterol by gluten feeding. In addition, we performed a study to examine the effect of the consumption of an enzymatically produced, hypoallergenic wheat flour on gene expression profiles in rats. The results confirmed the safety of this novel food product.