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Identification and characterization of a group 2 conifer pollen allergen from Chamaecyparis obtusa , a homologue of Cry j 2 from Cryptomeria japonica
Author(s) -
Hiroshi Yasueda,
Akemi Saito,
Masahiro Sakaguchi,
Takeshi Ide,
Saburo Sakai,
Yoshifumi Taniguchi,
Kazuo Akiyama,
Sakae Inouye
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
clinical and experimental allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.462
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1365-2222
pISSN - 0954-7894
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2222.2000.00747.x
Subject(s) - cryptomeria , allergen , chamaecyparis , cypress , pollen , japonica , immunoglobulin e , biology , antibody , chemistry , allergy , botany , immunology
Background Not only Cryptomeria japonica (Japanese cedar) pollen but also that of Chamaecyparis obtusa (Japanese cypress) induces the allergic symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis. However, allergens from C. obtusa pollen have not been as well characterized as those from C. japonica pollen. Objective We sought to identify and characterize a homologue of the second major allergen of C. japonica pollen, Cry j 2, from the pollen of C. obtusa . Methods An allergen homologous to Cry j 2 was identified in C. obtusa pollen extract by immunoblot analysis, probed with anti‐Cry j 2 monoclonal antibodies and purified by a series of column chromatographic steps. Results The allergen isolated from the extract showed a slightly diffuse band of 45 kDa and closely spaced double‐bands of 42 and 45 kDa on SDS‐PAGE, under reducing and non‐reducing conditions, respectively; the bands were approximately 5–7 kDa larger than those of Cry j 2. In 24 of 30 residues, the N‐terminal amino acid sequence of the allergen was identical with corresponding sequence in Cry j 2. Most patients with pollinosis who were IgE antibody‐positive to Cry j 2 were shown to be IgE antibody‐positive to this allergen, and the IgE antibody levels to both allergens were highly correlated. Conclusion The results indicate that the allergen isolated from C. obtusa pollen in this study is a homologue of Cry j 2. The allergen was designated as Cha o 2 according to the WHO/IUIS Allergen Nomenclature Subcommittee recommendation.