Molecular analysis of the group 1 and 2 allergens from the house dust mite, Euroglyphus maynei

Background: There is increasing evidence that the house dust mite Euroglyph us maynei may be a significant source of allergic sensitization. The struct ural information for the E, maynei allergens is largely restricted to a sin gle partial genomic sequence of fur m 1. Methods: A cDNA library was constr ucted from a culture of E, maynei Clones encoding the major group 1 and 2 a llergens were isolated by DNA hybridization and sequenced. Results: The seq uence of several full length clones of fur m 1 and fur m 2 were obtained. T he full pre-proenzyme sequence of the cysteine protease fur m 1 was determi ned. The translated amino acid sequence of fur m 1 and fur m 2 had 84-86% s equence identity with the corresponding allergens from Dermatophagoides pte ronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae mites. This is the same as the degr ee of sequence identity found between D, pteronyssinus and D, farinae despi te Euroglyphus being a member of the Pyroglyphinae subfamily rather than th e Dermatophagoidinae subfamily. Conclusion: The sequences of the major fur m 1 and fur m 2 allergens are described. Their degree of divergence from th e Dermatophagoides spp. is similar to that observed between D, pteronyssinu s and D, farinae group 1 and group 2 allergens.