title: Genomic characterization of members of the Bet v 1 family: genes coding for allergens and pathogenesis-related proteins share intron positions.
abstract: Bet v 1, the major birch pollen allergen, is a member of a multigene family; a number of isoforms and homologous proteins from closely related species (alder, hazel and hornbeam) has been isolated and their cDNAs cloned and characterized. Genomic clones coding for Bet v 1 and homologues from apple and hazel were isolated and sequenced. Some of these clones contained intervening sequences. The exon-intron formation is highly conserved throughout this family of pathogenesis-related proteins in dicot plants and is also found in Aopr1 (Asparagus officinalis), a monocol species. Phylogenetic analysis suggested a possible common origin of the intron position in these homologous proteins at codon 62 in various families of flowering plants, including Fagaceae, Rosaceae and Apiaceae. This conserved 'proto-splice site' may point to a structure/function relationship. A conserved sequence motif (P-loop) was also found in all members of this protein family. Moreover, there is a certain degree of sequence similarity among the proteins derived from various species throughout the dicots and the only monocot examined. This fact is reflected by cross-reactivity from monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies raised against Bet v 1.
authors.affiliation: Institute of General and Experimental Pathology, University of Vienna, Austria. Karin.Hoffmann@akh-wien.ac.at
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hoffmann-Sommergruber
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vanek-Krebitz
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Radauer
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Scheiner
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Breiteneder
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D017343:Genes, Plant / Q000235:genetics*; D007106:Immune Sera; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D007438:Introns / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D005810:Multigene Family / Q000235:genetics; D010802:Phylogeny; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D011058:Pollen / Q000235:genetics; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity; D019685:Rosales; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D014197:Trees / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D007106:Immune Sera; D010940:Plant Proteins; C053376:pathogenesis-related proteins, plant; C061312:Bet v 1 allergen, Betula; D007073:Immunoglobulin E