Guarneri F, Guarneri C, Benvenga S. Identification of Potentially Cross-Reactive Peanut-Lupine Proteins by Computer-Assisted Search for Amino Acid Sequence Homology.
Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2005;
138:273-7. [PMID:
16220003 DOI:
10.1159/000088864]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2005] [Accepted: 05/18/2005] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Allergic cross-reactions are an issue of major concern because of implications for public health. The molecular basis of cross-allergy is the similarity of epitopes belonging to proteins of different organisms. Lupine is an emerging cause of food allergy, which has become a 'hot topic' because of recent large-scale introduction into processed foods and frequent cross-reactions with other members of the legume family. However, no lupine allergen has been characterized thus far. Prompted by a recently reported case of peanut-lupine cross-allergy, we wished to identify the possible cross-reactive allergen(s) between the two vegetal species.
METHODS
We used computer-aided amino acid sequence comparison, a well-established technique for the study of protein homology, and followed the FAO/WHO guidelines for the identification of potential allergens. We also performed a three-dimensional modeling of the suspected cross-reactive proteins to compare their molecular surfaces.
RESULTS
We found a highly significant sequence homology and molecular similarity between allergen Ara h 8 of peanut and pathogenesis-related protein PR-10 of white lupine. Another protein of lupine, the beta-conglutin precursor, was found to be significantly homologous to the Ara h 1 allergen of peanut. The molecular surfaces of Ara h 8 and PR-10 were remarkably similar.
CONCLUSIONS
Our in silico data allow to predict the allergenicity of PR-10 and beta-conglutin precursor of white lupine according to FAO/WHO guidelines. Amino acid sequence homology also suggests that these proteins could be responsible, at least in part, for some of the allergic cross-reactions between peanut and lupine reported in the literature.
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