title: Molecular cloning and expression of icarapin, a novel IgE-binding bee venom protein.
abstract: The 1045bp full-length cDNA sequence of a new bee venom component was obtained by rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The 672bp coding sequence corresponds to a protein with a signal peptide and multiple carbohydrate binding sites, and it was named icarapin. It has the new consensus sequence N-[TS]-T-S-[TV]-x-K-[VI](2)-[DN]-G-H-x-V-x-I-N-[ED]-T-x-Y-x-[DHK]-x(2,6)- [STA]-[VLFI]-x-[KR]-V-R-[VLI]-[IV]-[DN]-V-x-P. At least two transcript variants were found. Recombinant icarapin was tested for recognition by IgE antibodies and gave a positive dot blot with sera from 4 out of 5 bee venom allergic patients, all beekeepers. Indirect immunofluorescent staining localized the protein in the cuticular lining of the venom duct.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Zoophysiology, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Nico
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Peiren
authors.forename: Dirk C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: de Graaf
authors.forename: Marleen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brunain
authors.forename: Chris H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Bridts
authors.forename: Didier G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Ebo
authors.forename: Wim J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: Frans J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Jacobs
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001514:Bee Venoms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology; D001516:Bees / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000378:metabolism*; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011817:Rabbits; D016415:Sequence Alignment
chemical_list: D001514:Bee Venoms; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D019476:Insect Proteins; C572550:icarapin protein, Apis mellifera; D007073:Immunoglobulin E