Open AccessMolecular Characterization of Api g 1, the Major Allergen of Celery ( Apium graveolens ), and Its Immumological and Structural Relationships to a Group of 17‐kDa Tree Pollen Allergens
Author(s) -
Breiteneder Heimo,
HoffmannSommergruber Karin,
O'Riordain Gabriel,
Susani Markus,
Ahorn Horst,
Ebner Christof,
Kraft Dietrich,
Scheiner Otto
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
european journal of biochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1432-1033
pISSN - 0014-2956
DOI - 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1995.484_2.x
Subject(s) - apium graveolens , allergen , pollen , mugwort , allergy , oral allergy syndrome , cross reactivity , biology , cypress , botany , immunology , medicine , antigen , cross reactions , alternative medicine , pathology
Individuals suffering from immediate hypersensitivity (type‐I allergy) to a particular pollen frequently display intolerance to several foods of plant origin. In this respect, individuals sensitized to birch pollen and/or mugwort pollen frequently display type‐I allergic symptoms after ingestion of celery. In this study, we expressed the major allergenic protein of celery, Api g 1, which is responsible for the birch‐celery syndrome, in the form of a non‐fusion protein. The open reading frame of the cDNA of Api g 1 codes for a protein of 153 amino acids with a molecular mass of 16.2 kDa and 40% identity (60% similarity) to the major allergen of birch pollen, Bet v 1. Furthermore, Api g 1 exhibited similar characteristics to (a) two proteins in parsley induced by fungal infection, (b) the major tree pollen allergens and (c) pathogenesis‐related and stress‐induced proteins in other plant species. The reactivity of recombinant Api g 1 with IgE antibodies present in sera from celery intolerant patients was comparable to that of the natural celery allergen. Cross‐reactivity with Bet v 1 was proven by cross‐inhibition experiments, which provides further support for the existence of the birch‐celery syndrome and for the suggestion that allergies to some vegetable foods are epiphenomena to allergies caused by inhalation of tree pollen.