title: Characterization of allergens in four South American snake species.
abstract: A 55-year-old herpetologist developed rhinitis, asthma, urticaria and anaphylaxis when handling 4 different viper snake venoms. Allergen characterizations were done using SDS-PAGE, IgE immunoblotting and IgE inhibition experiments. The most prominent immunoreactive proteins were analyzed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and peptide identity was demonstrated by homology with known peptide sequences. SDS-PAGE showed several protein bands ranging from 5 to 99 kDa in each of the 4 snake venoms. Immunoblotting demonstrated 4 IgE-binding bands in the Bothrops extract of about 60, 28, 14 and 7 kDa. The bands of 28 and 14 kDa were also present in Lachesis muta. Two IgE-binding proteins of about 50 and 35 kDa were found in Bothrops atrox and L. muta, respectively. A strong inhibition of IgE binding to immobilize Bothrops asper proteins was observed after preabsorption of sera with B. asper, B. atrox,Bothrops xanthograma and L. muta extracts. MALDI-TOF analysis showed a 14-kDa phospholipase and the 60- and 28-kDa proteins showed significant similarity with metalloproteinases. In this report we have characterized the snake venom allergens that can elicit IgE-mediated symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Allergy Service, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain. mauromadero@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Mauro F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Madero
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gámez
authors.forename: Mauro A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Madero
authors.forename: Mar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fernández-Nieto
authors.forename: Joaquín
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sastre
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: del Pozo
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004417:Dyspnea; D054501:Group II Phospholipases A2 / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D011485:Protein Binding; D030162:Reptilian Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D012135:Respiratory Sounds; D012910:Snake Venoms / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D012911:Snakes / Q000276:immunology; D014581:Urticaria
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D030162:Reptilian Proteins; D012910:Snake Venoms; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D054501:Group II Phospholipases A2; C061056:myotoxin II, Bothrops asper