Identification and characterization of a second major peanut allergen, Ara h II, with use of the sera of patients with atopic dermatitis and positive peanut challenge.

Peanuts are frequently a cause of food hypersensitivity reactions in children. Serum from nine patients with atopic dermatitis and a positive double-blind, placebo-controlled, food challenge to peanut were used in the process of identification and purification of the peanut allergens. Identification of a second major peanut allergen was accomplished with use of various biochemical and molecular techniques. Anion exchange chromatography of the crude peanut extract produced several fractions that bound IgE from the serum of the patient pool with positive challenges. By measuring antipeanut specific IgE and by IgE-specific immunoblotting we have identified an allergic component that has two closely migrating bands with a mean molecular weight of 17 kd. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of this fraction revealed it to have a mean isoelectric point of 5.2. According to allergen nomenclature of the IUIS Subcommittee for Allergen Nomenclature this allergen is designated, Ara h II (Arachis hypogaea).