Premium
Identification of a villin‐related tobacco protein as a novel cross‐reactive plant allergen
Author(s) -
Mittermann Irene,
Voronin Viktor,
Heberle-Bors Erwin,
Valenta Rudolf
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/j.febslet.2005.05.066
Subject(s) - villin , allergen , profilin , biology , immunoglobulin e , oral allergy syndrome , complementary dna , pollen , allergy , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , immunology , botany , actin , gene , actin cytoskeleton , cytoskeleton , antibody , cell
In a paradigmatic approach we identified cross‐reactive plant allergens for allergy diagnosis and treatment by screening of a tobacco leaf complementary DNA (cDNA) library with serum IgE from a polysensitized allergic patient. Two IgE‐reactive cDNA clones were isolated which code for proteins with significant sequence similarity to the actin‐binding protein, villin. Northern‐ and Western‐blotting demonstrate expression of the villin‐related allergens in pollen and somatic plant tissues. In addition, villin‐related proteins were detected in several plant allergen sources (tree‐, grass‐, weed pollen, fruits, vegetables, nuts). A recombinant C‐terminal fragment of the villin‐related protein was expressed in Escherichia coli , purified and shown to react specifically with allergic patients IgE. After profilin, villin‐related proteins represent another family of cytoskeletal proteins, which has been identified as cross‐reactive plant allergens. They may be used for the diagnosis and treatment of patients suffering from multivalent plant allergies.