title: Identification of major allergens in watermelon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Watermelon is a worldwide consumed Cucurbitaceae fruit that can elicit allergic reactions. However, the major allergens of watermelon are not known. The aim of this study is to identify and characterize major allergens in watermelon.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-three patients allergic to watermelon took part in the study. The diagnosis was based on a history of symptoms and positive skin prick-prick tests to watermelon, confirmed by positive open oral challenge testing to watermelon pulp. Allergenic components were detected by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting. Molecular characterization of IgE-binding bands was performed by N-terminal amino acid sequencing and mass spectrometry. Allergens were purified combining several chromatographic steps.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Several IgE binding bands (8-120 kDa) were detected in watermelon extract. Three major allergens were identified as malate dehydrogenase (36 kDa), triose phosphate isomerase (28 kDa) and profilin (13 kDa). Purified allergens individually inhibited IgE binding to the whole watermelon extract.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All in all these results indicate that malate dehydrogenase, triose phosphate isomerase and profilin are major allergens involved in watermelon allergy.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Inmunología, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, ES-28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pastor
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cuesta-Herranz
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cases
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pérez-Gordo
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Figueredo
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de las Heras
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vivanco
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D029773:Citrullus / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008291:Malate Dehydrogenase / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051304:Profilins / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012882:Skin Tests; D014305:Triose-Phosphate Isomerase / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D051304:Profilins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D008291:Malate Dehydrogenase; D014305:Triose-Phosphate Isomerase