Isolation and partial characterization of allergens from Helianthus annuus (sunflower) pollen.

We have purified four allergens from Helianthus annuus (sunflower) pollen, hereafter named as allergens a, b, c, and d. Under native conditions, allergen a has a mol. mass of 32, allergen b has one of 24, and allergens c and d each have one of 55 kDa. At the least, allergens b, c, and d demonstrate charge heterogeneity, and the electrophoretic mobility of allergens c and d increases when these allergens are deglycosylated with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid. Cross-reactivity among the four allergens and with the whole extract is very high, and each allergen recognizes IgE in a high proportion of patients sensitized to sunflower pollen.