Primary Identification, Biochemical Characterization, and Immunologic Properties of the Allergenic Pollen Cyclophilin Cat r 1

Abstract

Background: Plant cyclophilin allergens are not well characterized. Results: Cat r 1, an allergenic pollen cyclophilin cross-reactive to fungal cyclophilins, was immunologically and biochemically characterized. An NMR structure identified a protein surface conserved between Cat r 1, fungal, and animal cyclophilins. Conclusion: IgE-mediated cross-reactivity between plant and fungal cyclophilins can be explained by their structures. Significance: This information is useful for component-resolved diagnosis and allergen immunotherapy.

Plant immunophilins: a review of their structure-function relationship

“…Three of them belong to single-domain, divergent CYP family and are functional PPIases; CYPA-1 from Triticum aestivum (wheat plant; [130]) and CYP from Citrus sinensis (orange tree; [74]), and the CYP named Cat r 1 from Catharanthus roseus (rosy periwinkle; [131]). Among them, at least TaCYPA-1 and CsCYP are shown to bind cyclosporin A.…”

“…8). The solution NMR structure of apo Cat r 1 is also available (PDB: 2MC9) [131]. CsCYP, TaCYPA-1 and Cat r 1 are all single-domain cyclophilins and members of the divergent cyclophilin family, carrying a divergent loop having the sequence 48-KSGKPLH-54, two conserved Cys residues (Cys40 and Cys168) and a conserved Glu (Glu83), based on CsCYP numbering.…”

“…With a high degree of structural and sequence similarity, it is possible that they also exhibit similar, if not the same, functional roles as CsCYP. The structure of Cat r 1 has been studied in the context of its role as a pan-allergen of plant origin [131].…”

Structural, Functional, and Immunological Characterization of Profilin Panallergens Amb a 8, Art v 4, and Bet v 2

“…Only a few protein families contain panallergens, including calcium-binding proteins (4), cyclophilins (5), nonspecific lipid transfer proteins, pathogenesis-related protein (PR-10), polcalcins, and profilins (1). Profilins, which are the focus of this study, are small (12-15 kDa), mostly eukaryotic proteins that are involved in regulating the actin cytoskeleton (6).…”

Spectrum of Allergens and Allergen Biology in India

“…data], and this recombinant cyclophilin displayed basophil activation as evident from RBL degranulation and CD203c upregulation. Another 18-kDa cyclophilin allergen, Cat r 1, was reported from periwinkle pollen ( Catharanthus roseus ), which was highly cross-reactive with other cyclophilins, such as rAsp f 11 and rMala s 6 [123]. The rCat r 1 was properly folded and also retained allergenic activity as evident from RBL assay.…”