Kiwifruit allergen from a different protein family

Monday, 18 July 2011 10:02

A protein named Act d 11 purified from green kiwifruit has been identified as a member of the major latex protein/ripening-related protein family. IgE binding properties, as demonstrated through tests on sensitised patients in Italy and Austria, show the protein to be an allergen.

The molecular mass of Act d 11 was compatible with that of the major birch tree allergen Bet v 1 and it displays IgE co–recognition with allergens belonging to the PR–10 family, which includes Bet v 1.

Food allergens are thought to be proteins distributed into few families with a restricted number of biochemical functions. However, the new findings suggest that Act d 11 is the first member of the major latex protein/ripening–related protein family to be described as an allergen.

Reference: D'Avino et al. 2011. Allergy Vol. 66 pp. 870-877.DOI: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2011.02555.x