Fold stability during endolysosomal acidification is a key factor for allergenicity and immunogenicity of the major birch pollen allergen.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The search for intrinsic factors, which account for a protein's capability to act as an allergen, is ongoing. Fold stability has been identified as a molecular feature that affects processing and presentation, thereby influencing an antigen's immunologic properties.

Objective

We assessed how changes in fold stability modulate the immunogenicity and sensitization capacity of the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1.

Methods

By exploiting an exhaustive virtual mutation screening, we generated mutants of the prototype allergen Bet v 1 with enhanced thermal and chemical stability and rigidity. Structural changes were analyzed by means of x-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance, and molecular dynamics simulations. Stability was monitored by using differ

SUBMITTER: Machado Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4877439 | biostudies-literature | 2016 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature