T Midoro-Horiuti1, E G Brooks, R M Goldblum. 1. Department of Pediatrics, Child Health Research Center, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555-0366, USA. tmidoro@utmb.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Many pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins from plants are allergenic. We review the evidence that PR proteins represent an increasingly important group of plant-derived allergens. DATA SOURCES: A detailed literature search was conducted through PubMed and GenBank databases. STUDY SELECTION: All reports in PubMed and GenBank related to PR protein allergens for which at least partial amino acid sequence is known were included. RESULTS: Production of PR proteins by plants is induced in plants by stress. Members of PR-protein groups 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, and 14 have demonstrated allergenicity. PR2-, 3-, 4-, and 8-homologous allergens are represented by the latex allergens. Cross-reactivity of PR3 latex allergen, Hev b 6.02, with some fruit allergens may be a reflection of the representation of homologous PR proteins among varied plants. The expression of one of the representative PR5-homologous cedar pollen allergens, Jun a 3, is highly variable across years and geographic areas, possibly because of variable induction of this PR protein by environmental factors. PR10-homologous birch pollen allergen, Bet v 1, is structurally similar to and cross-reacts with PR10 proteins from fruits (eg, Mal d 1) which cause oral allergy syndrome. PR14 allergens (eg, Zea m 14) consist of lipid transfer proteins found in grains and fruits and are inducers of anaphylaxis. CONCLUSIONS: PR-homologous allergens are pervasive in nature. Similarity in the amino acid sequences among members of PR proteins may be responsible for cross-reactivity among allergens from diverse plants. Induced expression of PR-homologous allergens by environmental factors may explain varying degrees of allergenicity. Man-made environmental pollutants may also alter the expression of some PR protein allergens.
OBJECTIVE: Many pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins from plants are allergenic. We review the evidence that PR proteins represent an increasingly important group of plant-derived allergens. DATA SOURCES: A detailed literature search was conducted through PubMed and GenBank databases. STUDY SELECTION: All reports in PubMed and GenBank related to PR protein allergens for which at least partial amino acid sequence is known were included. RESULTS: Production of PR proteins by plants is induced in plants by stress. Members of PR-protein groups 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, and 14 have demonstrated allergenicity. PR2-, 3-, 4-, and 8-homologous allergens are represented by the latex allergens. Cross-reactivity of PR3 latex allergen, Hev b 6.02, with some fruit allergens may be a reflection of the representation of homologous PR proteins among varied plants. The expression of one of the representative PR5-homologous cedar pollen allergens, Jun a 3, is highly variable across years and geographic areas, possibly because of variable induction of this PR protein by environmental factors. PR10-homologous birch pollen allergen, Bet v 1, is structurally similar to and cross-reacts with PR10 proteins from fruits (eg, Mal d 1) which cause oral allergy syndrome. PR14 allergens (eg, Zea m 14) consist of lipid transfer proteins found in grains and fruits and are inducers of anaphylaxis. CONCLUSIONS: PR-homologous allergens are pervasive in nature. Similarity in the amino acid sequences among members of PR proteins may be responsible for cross-reactivity among allergens from diverse plants. Induced expression of PR-homologous allergens by environmental factors may explain varying degrees of allergenicity. Man-made environmental pollutants may also alter the expression of some PR protein allergens.
Authors: Jianhua Zhu; Jae Cheol Jeong; Yanmei Zhu; Irina Sokolchik; Saori Miyazaki; Jian-Kang Zhu; Paul M Hasegawa; Hans J Bohnert; Huazhong Shi; Dae-Jin Yun; Ray A Bressan Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2008-03-20 Impact factor: 11.205
Authors: T Fujimura; N Futamura; T Midoro-Horiuti; A Togawa; R M Goldblum; H Yasueda; A Saito; K Shinohara; K Masuda; K Kurata; M Sakaguchi Journal: Allergy Date: 2007-05 Impact factor: 13.146