title: Mapping and conformational analysis of IgE-binding epitopic regions on the molecular surface of the major Ara h 3 legumin allergen of peanut (Arachis hypogaea).
abstract: Eight distinct sequential IgE-binding epitopes were identified along the amino acid sequence of Ara h 3 using the Spot technology. They essentially correspond to preferencially electropositive regions exposed on the molecular surface of the protein. A few IgE-binding epitopes are coalescent to create more extended IgE-binding regions exposed on the surface of the allergen. Ara h 3 contains a core region corresponding to the cupin motifs and predicted to be preserved upon the trypsin and chymotrypsin attack in the gastro-intestinal tract. Some of the identified IgE-binding epitopes should remain unaltered in the core region to subsequently interact with the local immune system. They most probably account for the strong allergenic potency of Ara h 3. Most of the identified IgE-binding epitopes of Ara h 3 readily differ from the corresponding regions of other legume and tree-nut legumin allergens except for epitope #1 and #7 which are rather conserved essentially in other allergens. These structurally related epitopes could account for some cross-reactions occurring between Ara h 3 and other legumin allergens.
authors.affiliation: UMR Université Paul Sabatier-CNRS 5546, Surfaces Cellulaires et Signalisation chez les Végétaux, 24 Chemin de Borde Rouge, 31326, Castanet Tolosan, France. rouge@scsv.ups-tlse.fr
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rougé
authors.forename: Raphaël
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Culerrier
authors.forename: Virginie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sabatier
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Granier
authors.forename: Fabienne
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rancé
authors.forename: Annick
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barre
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D052179:Antigens, Plant / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D010367:Arachis / Q000276:immunology*; D018604:Epitope Mapping; D000939:Epitopes; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011487:Protein Conformation; D055314:Seed Storage Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D052179:Antigens, Plant; D000939:Epitopes; D055314:Seed Storage Proteins; C118207:allergen Ara h3; D007073:Immunoglobulin E