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).
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.
Rougé
Pierre
P
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
Culerrier
Raphaël
R
Sabatier
Virginie
V
Granier
Claude
C
Rancé
Fabienne
F
Barre
Annick
A
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*
D052179:Antigens, Plant; D000939:Epitopes; D055314:Seed Storage Proteins; C118207:allergen Ara h3; D007073:Immunoglobulin E