title: Allergen analysis of sea urchin roe using sera from five patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sea urchin roe can cause anaphylactic reactions the first time they are consumed; therefore, careful clinical attention should be paid to their effects. However, no previous study has examined the allergens in sea urchin roe using sera from more than one patient. We attempted to identify sea urchin allergens using sera from 5 patients with sea urchin allergies.
  
  
  METHODS
  We enrolled 5 patients with relevant medical histories, positive results on a skin prick test and/or a food challenge test, and high levels of sea urchin-specific IgE in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We performed SDS-PAGE, immunoblotting, immunoblot inhibition, and N-terminal amino acid sequence detection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ten protein bands ranging from 18 to 170 kDa were detected in more than 2 patients' sera. In immunoblotting, the protein band for the 170-kDa major yolk protein was recognized by 4 of the 5 sera. Furthermore, the reaction between IgE and the protein band for egg cortical vesicle protein (18 kDa) was inhibited by the addition of salmon roe extract.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Major yolk protein was confirmed to be one of the main allergens in sea urchin roe. In addition, egg cortical vesicle protein (18 kDa) was demonstrated to be an important protein for cross-reactivity with salmon roe.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, The Second Teaching Hospital, Fujita Health University, Nagoya, Japan.
authors.forename: Kenichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Yasuto
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kondo
authors.forename: Chisato
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Inuo
authors.forename: Yoichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nakajima
authors.forename: Ikuya
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tsuge
authors.forename: Satoru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Doi
authors.forename: Shigeto
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yanagihara
authors.forename: Tetsushi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yoshikawa
authors.forename: Atsuo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Urisu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003429:Cross Reactions / Q000276:immunology*; D021181:Egg Hypersensitivity / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D015387:Egg Proteins, Dietary / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D004531:Eggs / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D012474:Salmon / Q000276:immunology; D012617:Sea Urchins / Q000276:immunology*; D044967:Serum / Q000276:immunology; D012882:Skin Tests; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D015387:Egg Proteins, Dietary; D007073:Immunoglobulin E