title: Structure and biology of stinging insect venom allergens.
abstract: Bees, fire ants and vespids cause insect sting allergy. These insects have unique as well as common venom allergens. Vespids, including hornets, paper wasps and yellow jackets, have common allergens. Bees and vespids have one common allergen with hyaluronidase activity; they also have unique allergens with different phospholipase activities. Fire ants and vespids have one common allergen, antigen 5 of unknown biologic activity. The common venom allergens with < 70% sequence identity have barely detectable levels of antigenic cross-reactivity. Possible uses of modified allergens for immunotherapy are described.
authors.affiliation: The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10021-6399, USA.
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Spangfort
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000862:Ant Venoms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology; D001180:Arthropod Venoms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D001514:Bee Venoms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology; D003429:Cross Reactions; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D006927:Hymenoptera; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D010740:Phospholipases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D014862:Wasp Venoms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D000862:Ant Venoms; D001180:Arthropod Venoms; D001514:Bee Venoms; D000939:Epitopes; D014862:Wasp Venoms; C040583:white-faced hornet venom antigen 5; D010740:Phospholipases; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase