Identification of the allergen Psi c 2 from the basidiomycete Psilocybe cubensis as a fungal cyclophilin.
Basidiospores are a prevalent and frequent cause of respiratory allergies, yet their allergens remain poorly defined; thus, we have attempted a molecular characterization of representative basidiomycete allergens. A Psilocybe cubensis mycelial cDNA library was immunoscreened with patient serum. A clone was isolated that expressed a 23-kD recombinant allergen as a fusion protein and inhibited a 16-kD band (Psi c 2) in immunoprints of P. cubenis extract, indicating antigenic identity. Sequence (cDNA) analysis of the clone indicates homology with cyclophilin and the deduced amino acid sequence of Psi c 2 showed 78% identity and 4% similarity with the amino acid sequence of Schizosaccharomyces pombe cyclophilin. This recombinant allergen is a useful model for epitope analysis of basidiospore allergens and fungal allergen cross-reactivity, and may provide an improved reagent for basidiospore allergy diagnosis and treatment.
Horner
W E
WE
Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, La., USA.
Reese
G
G
Lehrer
S B
SB
D000363:Agaricales / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D000485:Allergens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000591:Amino Acid Isomerases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003429:Cross Reactions; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D019696:Peptidylprolyl Isomerase; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000276:immunology
D000485:Allergens; D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D000939:Epitopes; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D000591:Amino Acid Isomerases; D019696:Peptidylprolyl Isomerase