Internet Symposium on Food Allergens 1(3): 95-101 (1999)  http://www.food-allergens.de


Mini-Review:
Structure and Function Can Determine Important Features in Allergenicity: Investigations on the Group I Allergens of the Grasses

A. PETERSEN (a), K. GROBE (a), G. SCHRAMM (a), K. GEHLHAR (a), S. VIETHS (b), F. ALTMANN (c), M. SCHLAAK (a), W.-M. BECKER (a)

(a) Research Center Borstel, Biochemical and Molecular Allergology, Borstel, Germany
(b) Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Department of Allergology, Langen, Germany
(c) Institute of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Vienna, Austria
 
 
SUMMARY
KEYWORDS
The structure of an allergen plays a crucial role in type I allergy. It is involved in the sensitization process as well as in allergic reactions that are caused by repetitive exposure. Here, we focused on the abundant group I allergens of grass pollen, which are known for their IgE inducing potential. We identified at least four independent IgE-binding regions (conformational epitopes) on the molecule. A few continuous epitopes were determined, but they seem to be of minor relevance. As regards post-translational modifications we detected disulfide formations, one N-glycan of the complex type and two hydroxylated proline residues. All these modifications increased the allergenicity. Additionally it was shown that IgE cross-reactivity to unrelated proteins such as tomato is caused by similarities in carbohydrate moieties.
Like several food allergens e.g. Act c 1 (kiwi fruit), Gly mBd 30K (soybean) and the dust mite allergen Der p 1, the grass pollen allergen Phl p 1 is a cysteine protease. We proved this by use of specific substrates, specific inhibitors, and by comparison of the protein sequences. In analogy to Der p 1 we deduce that Phl p 1 might enhance the permeability of the epithelium, influence T helper cells to cause a bias to Th2, and increase the IgE production of plasma cells. Thus, the group I allergens seem to be important components in a pollen extract which can mediate sensitization and enhance the triggering of symptoms leading to a persistence of grass pollen allergy. 
grass group I allergens
type I allergy
post-translational modifications
epitope mapping
protease











 

[Introduction] [IgE-reactive Epitopes] [Protein Function] [Implications] [References] [Abbreveations]



Arnd Petersen 
Correspondence:
Dr. Arnd Petersen 
Research Center Borstel
Biochemical and Molecular Allergology 
Parkallee 22 
D-23845 Borstel, Germany 

Phone: +49 (4537) 188 497 
Fax: +49 (4537) 188 404 
eMail: apeters@fz-borstel.de 


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