Identification of a villin-related tobacco protein as a novel cross-reactive plant allergen.
In a paradigmatic approach we identified cross-reactive plant allergens for allergy diagnosis and treatment by screening of a tobacco leaf complementary DNA (cDNA) library with serum IgE from a polysensitized allergic patient. Two IgE-reactive cDNA clones were isolated which code for proteins with significant sequence similarity to the actin-binding protein, villin. Northern- and Western-blotting demonstrate expression of the villin-related allergens in pollen and somatic plant tissues. In addition, villin-related proteins were detected in several plant allergen sources (tree-, grass-, weed pollen, fruits, vegetables, nuts). A recombinant C-terminal fragment of the villin-related protein was expressed in Escherichia coli, purified and shown to react specifically with allergic patients IgE. After profilin, villin-related proteins represent another family of cytoskeletal proteins, which has been identified as cross-reactive plant allergens. They may be used for the diagnosis and treatment of patients suffering from multivalent plant allergies.
Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology, Center for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. irene.mittermann@meduniwien.ac.at
Irene
I
Mittermann
Viktor
V
Voronin
Erwin
E
Heberle-Bors
Rudolf
R
Valenta
D000485:Allergens / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics; D015723:Gene Library; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D008840:Microfilament Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D011058:Pollen / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
D000485:Allergens; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; D010940:Plant Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C026615:villin; D007073:Immunoglobulin E