Structural biology of allergens from stinging and biting insects.
OBJECTIVE
Modern techniques in genomic and protein research are applied to the study of stinging and biting insect allergens.


RESULTS
Three-dimensional structures of additional insect venom and salivary allergens have been determined. An approach to determining B-cell epitopes has been used for hyaluronidase. A number of new venom and salivary allergens have been characterized. The structures and significance of several insect allergens have been updated. Investigations continue into distinguishing venom crossreactivity from multiple sensitization. Further studies are clarifying the significance of carbohydrate epitopes. Genomic and proteomic techniques are being used in the investigation of proteins and peptides in insect venom and saliva.


CONCLUSIONS
The nature of venom crossreactivity and the B-cell and T-cell epitope structures of insect venom and salivary allergens are beginning to be elucidated.
Hoffman
Donald R
DR
Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27834, USA. hoffmand@ecu.edu
D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D001180:Arthropod Venoms / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology; D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D000939:Epitopes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000276:immunology; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology; D018716:Molecular Mimicry; D011487:Protein Conformation; D040901:Proteomics; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology
D000485:Allergens; D001180:Arthropod Venoms; D002241:Carbohydrates; D000939:Epitopes; D019476:Insect Proteins; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides