title: Molecular investigations of pathogenesis-related Bet v 1 homologues in Passiflora (Passifloraceae).
abstract: The major birch pollen allergen, Bet v 1, responsible for allergic reactions in many areas of the world, is homologous to a large number of pathogenesis-related proteins (PRs), identified as PR10. As part of a long-range investigation of these types of proteins and of evolution in Passiflora, DNA sequences from eight Bet v 1 homologue isoforms were obtained from five species of this genus in Brazil, and their sequences compared among themselves and with 30 others from 8 different species, classified in different taxonomic units. The objective was a first characterization of these PRs in wild passionflowers, and their use for evolutionary and applied investigations. High interspecific, but low intraspecific variability was observed, as expected from multigenic families subjected to concerted evolution. The relationships obtained both within Passiflora and between it and seven other genera probably best reflect functional similarities than evolutionary history.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Caixa Postal 15053, 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Finkler
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giacomet
authors.forename: Valéria C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Muschner
authors.forename: Francisco M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Salzano
authors.forename: Loreta B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Freitas
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000235:genetics*; D001938:Brazil; D018744:DNA, Plant / Q000235:genetics; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D029598:Passiflora / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D010802:Phylogeny; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D018744:DNA, Plant; D010940:Plant Proteins; C053376:pathogenesis-related proteins, plant