Open AccessThe molecular basis of allergenicity: comparative analysis of the three dimensional structures of diverse allergens reveals a common structural motif
Author(s) -
R. Furmonaviciene,
F Shakib
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
molecular pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1472-4154
pISSN - 1366-8714
DOI - 10.1136/mp.54.3.155
Subject(s) - cysteine protease , structural motif , cysteine , sequence motif , antiparallel (mathematics) , biology , protein structure , chemistry , biochemistry , enzyme , gene , physics , quantum mechanics , magnetic field
Although a large number of allergens have been characterised, the structural, functional, and biochemical features that these molecules have in common, and that could explain their ability to elicit powerful IgE antibody responses, are still uncertain. Recently, there has been considerable interest in the role of the cysteine protease activity of the house dust mite allergen Der p 1 in biasing the immune response in favour of IgE production.