Characterization of narrow-leaf lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) recombinant major allergen IgE-binding proteins and the natural β-conglutin counterparts in sweet lupin seed species.

β-conglutin has been identified as a major allergen for Lupinus angustifolius seeds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the binding of IgE to five recombinant β-conglutin isoforms (rβ) that we overexpressed and purified and to their natural counterparts in different lupin species and cultivars. Western blotting suggested β-conglutins were the main proteins responsible for the IgE reactivity of the lupin species and cultivars. Newly identified polypeptides from "sweet lupin" may constitute a potential new source of primary or cross-reactive sensitization to lupin, particularly to L. albus and L. angustifolius seed proteins. Several of them exhibited qualitative and quantitative differences in IgE-binding among these species and cultivars, mainly in sera from atopic patients that react to lupin rather than peanut. IgE-binding was more consistent to recombinant β2 than to any of the other isoforms, making this protein a potential candidate for diagnosis and immunotherapy.