title: Molecular cloning of German cockroach (Blattella germanica) allergens.
abstract: Allergens produced by cockroaches (CRs) are an important cause of IgE antibody responses and asthma. Using molecular cloning and nucleic acid hybridization techniques, we have identified and sequenced several important allergens produced by the German CR (Blattella germanica) and studied their expression in the American CR (Periplaneta americana). Principal allergens include Bla g 2 (36-kD protein) and Bla g 4 (21-kD protein), to which 60-70% of CR-allergic patients make IgE antibodies. Bla g 2 is only expressed by B. germanica, whereas DNA encoding Bla g 4 is present in P. americana, but is not transcribed into mRNA. Sequence homology searches have identified Bla g 2 as an aspartic protease and Bla g 4 as a calycin. Other CR allergens that have been cloned include a glutathione transferase and a troponin. These studies will enable recombinant allergens to be expressed and used to investigate the role of CR allergens in asthma.
authors.affiliation: Asthma and Allergic Disease Center, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville 22908, USA.
authors.forename: L K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Arruda
authors.forename: L D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Vailes
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Benjamin
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Chapman
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D003058:Cockroaches / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D017344:Genes, Insect; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D011487:Protein Conformation; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D012882:Skin Tests; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D018076:DNA, Complementary; C091463:allergen Per a I; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases; C094699:allergen Bla g 2