Bioanalytical characterization of proteins

Allergens from the view of a protein chemist are quite normal proteins, not to distinguish from non allergenic proteins. The first task is therefore t o recognize and identify the proteins responsible for the allergenic reacti on. This is usually only possible if the allergenic structure is conserved during the purification procedures. For a detailed analysis of the allergen ic protein modem protein chemical methods for characterization, identificat ion, determination of posttranslational modifications and epitope character ization have to be applied. Such techniques are briefly described in this a rticle. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.