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Plant food allergens homologous to pathogenesis‐related proteins
Author(s) -
Ebner Christof,
HoffmannSommergruber Karin,
Breiteneder Heimo
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1034/j.1398-9995.2001.00913.x
Subject(s) - proteases , pathogenesis related protein , pathogenesis , biology , food allergens , homologous chromosome , allergen , biochemistry , food allergy , peptide sequence , bacteria , protein superfamily , enzyme , microbiology and biotechnology , allergy , immunology , gene , genetics , solanaceae
In general, pathogenesis‐related (PR) proteins are expressed by plants in response to stress conditions like infection, exposure to certain chemicals, wounding and environmental conditions. In some plant tissues, however, PR proteins are constitutively expressed, e.g. in pollens or fruits, tissues that are more likely to be attacked (by insects or fungi) or exposed to atmospheric conditions (e.g. UV irradiation). PR proteins display multiple effects within the plant and possess antimicrobial activity, and can thus be regarded as a part of the plant's defense system. Analyzing known amino acid sequences and functions of characterized (cloned) food allergens, it is remarkable that many of these molecules can be classified as PR proteins. Many PR proteins are stable at low pH, and display considerable resistance to proteases, requirements to act as food allergens. According to sequence characteristics and their enzymatic or biologic activity, PR proteins can be divided into 14 groups. Seven of these 14 groups contain proteins with allergenic properties, six groups contain food allergens.