title: Kiwellin, a novel protein from kiwi fruit. Purification, biochemical characterization and identification as an allergen*.
abstract: Kiwellin is a novel protein of 28 kDa isolated from kiwi (Actinidia chinensis) fruit. It is one of the three most abundant proteins present in the edible part of this fruit. Kiwellin has been purified by ion exchange chromatography. Its N-terminal amino acid sequence revealed high identity with that previously reported for a 28 kDa protein described as one of the most important kiwi allergens. This observation prompted us to fully characterize this protein. The complete primary structure, elucidated by direct sequencing, indicated that kiwellin is a cysteine-rich protein. Serological tests and Western Blotting analysis showed that kiwellin is specifically recognized by IgE of patients allergic to kiwi fruit.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Protein Biochemistry, C.N.R., Via Pietro Castellino 111, I-80131, Napoli, Italy. m.tamburrini@ibp.cnr.it
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tamburrini
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cerasuolo
authors.forename: Vito
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Carratore
authors.forename: Anna Agnese
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Stanziola
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zofra
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Romano
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Camardella
authors.forename: M Antonietta
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ciardiello
mesh_terms: D029042:Actinidia / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D000485:Allergens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D052179:Antigens, Plant / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010940:Plant Proteins; C507612:kiwellin protein, Actinidia chinensis; D007073:Immunoglobulin E