CDNA SEQUENCE-ANALYSIS OF THE MAIN OLIVE ALLERGEN, OLE-E-I

Olea europaea (Ole e) I-specific cDNA sequences were amplified by 3'-R ACE-PCR, using specific primers based on the N-terminal sequence of th e allergen, and cloned into appropriate vectors. The nucleotide sequen ce data obtained revealed the presence of isogenic variation in Ole e I gene(s). The molecular mass, pI, amino acid composition and sequence of the predicted polypeptides agree with data previously obtained by analysis of purified Ole e I from pollen. Furthermore, by treatment of purified Ole e I with specific glycopeptide hydrolases it has been de monstrated the presence of N-glycosylation in the allergen, and there is a unique concensus site for N-linked glycosylation at positions 111 -113 of the deduced amino acid sequence. The Ole e I predicted sequenc e shows a significant homology with three putative proteins encoded re spectively by the anther-specific LAT52 gene from tomato and the polle n specific genes Zmcl3 from maize and OSPSG from rice, suggesting that these proteins could have a role in one of the development processes unique to male gametophytes,