Km. Hiller et al., MAPPING OF AN ALLERGENICALLY IMPORTANT DETERMINANT OF GRASS GROUP-I ALLERGENS, Journal of allergy and clinical immunology, 100(3), 1997, pp. 335-340
This report documents the mapping of the second major epitope, previou
sly described as site D, of grass group I allergens to residues 23-35
of meadow fescue group I (STFYGKPTGAGPK). Mapping was accomplished by
screening fractions from a meadow fescue group I tryptic digest for pe
ptide(s) that inhibit the ability of monoclonal antibody 24.64 (specif
ic for site D) to bind to immobilized group I allergen. One such pepti
de, representing residues 23-35 of meadow fescue group I, was identifi
ed. Additional studies with the use of synthetic analogs of this pepti
de demonstrate that it binds mAb 24.64 directly. Examination of extrac
ts containing group I glycoproteins from seven other species of grass
confirms antigenic cross-reactivity due to this peptide. We also repor
t based on protein sequence analysis that the amino terminal segment (
which includes the site D epitope) of GpI allergens from seven differe
nt grass species is highly conserved and contains two hydroxyproline r
esidues and an N-linked carbohydrate moiety.