title: Studies on the allergenicity of the amino-terminal epitope (Bet v I 23-38) from birch pollen allergen.
abstract: An N-terminal peptide of the major allergen of birch (Bet v I 23-38) was selected for studying the activity of this segment on the basis of optimal hydrophilicity as it was tentatively suggested to be a surface exposed epitope. In addition two control peptides in the region 1-38 were similarly used for comparative assignment of the allergenicity. Peptide analogues from the amino acid terminal region, amino acid residues No. 23-38 of Bet v I, were synthesized by semiautomatic solid-phase peptide synthesis. In vitro and in vivo biological activity studies were performed on these analogous peptides. The IgE-binding capacity of the synthetic peptide 23-38 was examined using the following tests: specific IgE inhibition, skin prick test, nasal provocation and Prausnitz-Küstner inhibition. The results of these investigations suggested that the region 23-38 from the birch and hazel major allergen encompassed a single haptenic epitope.
authors.affiliation: Allergy Research Group, University Hospital, University of Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vik
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Steinvåg
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Elsayed
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D015550:Cell Degranulation; D000939:Epitopes / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000032:analysis; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009299:Nasal Provocation Tests; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011058:Pollen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D029584:Prostatic Secretory Proteins; D011852:Radioallergosorbent Test; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D000939:Epitopes; D008222:Lymphokines; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010940:Plant Proteins; D029584:Prostatic Secretory Proteins; C043076:beta-microseminoprotein; C013059:immunoglobulin-binding factors; C061312:Bet v 1 allergen, Betula