Identification of Profilin as a Novel Pollen Allergen; IgE Autoreactivity in Sensitized Individuals

• DOI: 10.1126/science.1857985
• Publication Date: 2006-10-05T22:10:16Z
• Authors: Rudolf Valenta; Michael Duchêne; Karin Pettenburger; Christian Sillaber; Peter Valent; Peter Bettelheim; Michael Breitenbach; Helmut Rumpold; Dietrich Kraft; Otto Scheiner
• Keywords: Profilin; Oral allergy syndrome

A complementary DNA encoding a pollen allergen from white birch ( Betula verrucosa ) that was isolated library with serum immunoglobulin E pollen-allergic individual revealed significant sequence homology to profilins. The recombinant protein showed high affinity poly-L-proline. Immunoglobulin antibodies allergic individuals bound natural and profilin also human profilin. In addition, induced histamine release blood basophils of profilin-allergic individuals, but not sensitized other plant allergens. structural similarity conserved proteins might therefore be responsible for maintaining antibody titers in type I allergy.