The molecular basis of allergenicity: comparative analysis of the three dimensional structures of diverse allergens reveals a common structural motif.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although a large number of allergens have been characterised, the structural, functional, and biochemical features that these molecules have in common, and that could explain their ability to elicit powerful IgE antibody responses, are still uncertain. Recently, there has been considerable interest in the role of the cysteine protease activity of the house dust mite allergen Der p 1 in biasing the immune response in favour of IgE production.

Aims

To search for remote homologues of Der p 1 with sequences similar to the 30 conserved amino acids surrounding the catalytic cysteine residue (Cys34).

Methods

Potential homologues were analysed by examining their three dimensional structures and multiple sequence alignments using the programs PROPSEARCH, ClustalW, G

SUBMITTER: Furmonaviciene R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1187054 | biostudies-literature | 2001 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature