ISSN:
1365-2222
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Background Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollinosis is one of the most prevalent allergic diseases in Japan. Only three C. japonica allergens, Cry j 1, Cry j 2, and CJP-6, have been characterized. The full IgE-binding spectrum of C. japonica pollen allergens demonstrates that many allergens remain to be identified.Objective The aim of this study was to characterize a novel allergen with a high frequency of IgE binding.Methods The cDNA coding for a high-frequency IgE-binding protein, designated CJP-4, was cloned from the total mRNA of C. japonica pollen. The corresponding native allergen was purified by affinity precipitation with colloidal chitin and gel chromatography. The IgE-binding ability of purified native CJP-4 was characterized by ELISA and ELISA inhibition.Results The CJP-4 cDNA encoded 281 amino acids with significant sequence homology to class IV chitinases. Purified native CJP-4, migrated as a homogeneous 34-kDa protein on SDS-PAGE, revealed endochitinase activity on native PAGE. The purified protein displayed the ability to bind IgE from all patients tested (31/31) in ELISA, whereas Cry j 1 bound to IgE at a 71% frequency (22/31). Pre-incubation with latex C-serum completely inhibited the reaction of pooled sera IgE from patients with C. japonica pollinosis and/or latex allergy to purified CJP-4.Conclusion We identified CJP-4 as a novel and fourth C. japonica chitinase allergen with high IgE-binding frequency. The competitive IgE-binding profile between C. japonica chitinase and latex C-serum indicated that C. japonica chitinase should be an important pan-allergen in C. japonica pollen.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2222.2005.02167.x
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