Background The family Cupressaceae is a relevant source of allergens that c
auses winter respiratory allergies. Cloning and sequencing the major antige
n of Cupressus arizonica is important for a better diagnosis and treatment
of sensitized patients.
Objective To obtain a full-length complementary DNA for Cup a 1, the major
allergen of Cupressus arizonica pollen. It was cloned and sequenced and the
recombinant protein was expressed.
Methods Messenger RNA from Cupressus arizonica pollen was obtained and the
Cup a 1 sequence was established using a 3'-RACE system and primers based o
n the N-terminal amino acid sequence. Recombinant Cup a 1 was cloned in pBl
uescript and expressed in a glycosylated form in rabbit reticulocytes. The
cDNA was subcloned in pGEX-5X-1 and expressed in Escherichia coli as a fusi
on protein with GST.
Results Recombinant Cup a 1 is highly homologous with the major allergens o
f mountain cedar (Jun a I), Japanese cypress (Cha o 1) and Japanese cedar (
Cry j 1). Cup a 1 contains three potential N-glycosylation sites that are d
ifferent from those found in Jun a 1 and Cry j 1. The cloned protein contai
ns a pectate lyase active site identical to these of Cry j 1 and Jun a 1. T
he IgE from patients' sera recognizes recombinant Cup a 1, and this reactiv
ity is higher with the glycosylated protein.
Conclusion Cup a 1 has been cloned and sequenced. As expected, the high deg
ree of homology with Cha o 1, Jun a 1 and Cry j 1 explains the cross-reacti
vity of conifer pollens. Different IgE reactivity with the glycosylated and
non-glycosylated protein suggests the importance of carbohydrate moieties
in the IgE binding site.