In silico identification of potential new latex allergens.
BACKGROUND
Allergy to latex of Hevea brasiliensis is a frequent problem. In spite of the significant progress of research, the identity and cross-reactivity of some latex allergens are unknown.


OBJECTIVE
To identify, among the fully characterized latex proteins, those with a higher probability to be allergenic.


METHODS
We used in silico techniques (amino acid sequence comparison and molecular modelling) to identify potential new allergens among the known proteins of H. brasiliensis.


RESULTS
Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase, heat shock protein and calmodulin of H. brasiliensis show highly significant (E < 10(-9)) amino acid sequence homologies with known allergens.


CONCLUSIONS
On the basis of our data, Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase, heat shock protein and calmodulin are the most probable allergens among fully characterized proteins of H. brasiliensis, and could potentially explain, at least in part, the multiple cross-reactivities of latex with vegetable foods and other plant-derived products. Consequently, we think that the above proteins should be particularly considered in the future laboratory and clinical research.
Guarneri
F
F
Istituto di Dermatologia, Policlinico Gaetano Martino, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy. f.guarneri@tiscali.it
Guarneri
C
C
Guarneri
B
B
Benvenga
S
S
D000485:Allergens / Q000032:analysis*; D002147:Calmodulin / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D003429:Cross Reactions; D030562:Databases, Protein; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D028482:Hevea / Q000276:immunology*; D007840:Latex / Q000276:immunology*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D031658:Olea / Q000276:immunology; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology
D000485:Allergens; D002147:Calmodulin; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins; D007840:Latex; D010940:Plant Proteins; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase