title: Characterization of a cashew allergen, 11S globulin (Ana o 2), conformational epitope.
abstract: Both linear and conformational epitopes likely contribute to the allergenicity of tree nut allergens, yet, due largely to technical issues, few conformational epitopes have been characterized. Using the well studied recombinant cashew allergen, Ana o 2, an 11S globulin or legumin, we identified a murine monoclonal antibody which recognizes a conformational epitope and competes with patient IgE Ana o 2-reactive antibodies. This epitope is expressed on the large subunit of Ana o 2, but only when associated with an 11S globulin small subunit. Both Ana o 2 and the homologous soybean Gly m 6 small subunits can foster epitope expression, even when the natural N-terminal to C-terminal subunit order is reversed in chimeric molecules. The epitope, which is also expressed on native Ana o 2, is readily susceptible to destruction by physical and chemical denaturants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Science and Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Florida State University, 319 Stadium Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32306-4295, USA.
authors.forename: Jason M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Robotham
authors.forename: Lixin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.forename: LeAnna N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Willison
authors.forename: Suzanne S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Teuber
authors.forename: Shridhar K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Sathe
authors.forename: Kenneth H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Roux
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D006801:Humans; D016056:Immunodominant Epitopes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D008623:Mercaptoethanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D011485:Protein Binding; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011489:Protein Denaturation / Q000187:drug effects; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D012967:Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate / Q000494:pharmacology; D013025:Glycine max / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D014508:Urea / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; C478880:Ana o 2 allergen, cashew; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D016056:Immunodominant Epitopes; D010940:Plant Proteins; D021122:Protein Subunits; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D012967:Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate; D008623:Mercaptoethanol; D014508:Urea