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Review
. 2024 Jul 2;33(11):2461-2475.
doi: 10.1007/s10068-024-01600-5. eCollection 2024 Aug.

Plant-based proteins: clinical and technological importance

Isabel Medina-Vera #  1 , Azalia Avila-Nava #  2 , Liliana León-López  3 , Ana Ligia Gutiérrez-Solis  2 , José Moisés Talamantes-Gómez  4 , Claudia C Márquez-Mota  4
Affiliations
Review

Plant-based proteins: clinical and technological importance

Isabel Medina-Vera et al. Food Sci Biotechnol. .

Abstract

Healthy and sustainable diets have seen a surge in popularity in recent years, driven by a desire to consume foods that not only help health but also have a favorable influence on the environment, such as plant-based proteins. This has created controversy because plant-based proteins may not always contain all the amino acids required by the organism. However, protein extraction methods have been developed due to technological advancements to boost their nutritional worth. Furthermore, certain chemicals, such as bioactive peptides, have been identified and linked to favorable health effects. As a result, the current analysis focuses on the primary plant-based protein sources, their chemical composition, and the molecular mechanism activated by the amino acid types of present. It also discusses plant protein extraction techniques, bioactive substances derived from these sources, product development using plant protein, and the therapeutic benefits of these plant-based proteins in clinical research.

Keywords: Bioactive peptides; Muscle synthesis; Plant-based protein; Protein signaling pathways.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interestOn behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
mTOR signaling pathway. (A) Insulin signaling, insulin activates the PI3K/Akt pathway (Phosphoinositide 3-kinase, serine/threonine kinase) which inhibit the complex TSC (tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), composed of TSC1 (hamartin), TSC2 (tuberin), and TBC1D7 (Tre2-Bub2-Cdc16 Domain Family Member 7) allowing the formation of the Rheb-GTP (Ras Homolog). (B) Amino acid signaling, amino acids activate Rag GTPases (GTP-related Ras proteins), which recruit mTORC1 (mammalian target of rapamycin) to the lysosome surface where it interacts with Rheb-GTP. (C) The activation of mTORC1 by Rheb-GTP, stimulates the activity of S6K1 (ribosomal protein S6 kinase) that promotes ribosomes biogenesis and phosphorilates 4EBP1 (initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1) allowing the 5ˊ cap translation initiation, thus overall promoting protein translation
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
GCN2 molecular signaling pathway. (A) Amino acid deficiency increases uncharged tRNAs. (B) The increase of uncharged tRNAs is sensed by GCN2 (general control non repressible). C The activation of GCN2 by uncharged tRNAS, stimulates the phosphorylation of eIF2a (initiation factor α subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2) inhibiting the translation initiation, thus overall decreasing protein translation
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Overview of muscle protein synthesis. Animal protein (green arrows) consumption increases the serum concentration of EAA (essential amino acids) stimulating muscle protein synthesis though the activation of the mTOR signaling pathway. Plant based protein (red arrows) consumption causes a lower postprandial EAA (essential amino acids) concentration that downregulate the activation of mTOR and stimulate the activation of GCN2 causing a decrease in muscle protein synthesis
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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