Profilin, a Novel Plant Pan-Allergen

Abstract

Recently we identified birch profilin as a novel pollen allergen which showed significant sequence homology with profilins from different eukaryotic organisms. Profilins were described to control actin polymerization and to participate in signal transduction via the phosphoinosite pathway, but have so far been unknown in plants. The ubiquitous occurrence of profilins in eukaryotes led us to the hypothesis that profilins may fulfill similar funtions in plants as known in other eukaryotes. Here we report on the identification of profilins as functional plant pan-allergens in distantly related plants. The ubiquitous occurrence of profilins in distantly related plants as allergenic structures provides a molecular basis for the frequently observed phenomenon of cross-sensitization towards distantly related plant species in allergic patients.

Profilin I is essential for cell survival and cell division in early mouse development

“…Our results indicate that mouse profilin I is an essential protein that has dosage-dependent effects on cell division and survival during embryogenesis. P rofilins are ubiquitous proteins found in mammals (1), animal cells (2), plants (3), and viruses (4). Profilins sequester actin monomers in a 1:1 complex and inhibit actin polymerization (1).…”

Pollen cross‐reactivity. Can we establish a link between the in vitro results and the clinical situation?

“…contrast to the findings of other authors (8,10,12,18,19,23). Statistical analysis of the CAP data mostly confirmed the results of previous studies (9,11,12,19) (Table 3).…”

“…Some of them may suffer from systemic symptoms such as urticaria, angioedema, asthma, or anaphylactic shock (6,7). Bet v 1 and Bet v 2 (profilin) are the major birch-pollen allergens responsible for most cross-reactions between birch pollen and related foods (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13). However, concomitant sensitizations to mugwort and/or grass pollen are often present (14)(15)(16)(17)(18) (Fig.…”

Diverse Peach Allergy: Sensitization to Molecular Components of Allergens From Prunus Persica

“…Профилины присутствуют во всех эукарио-тических клетках. Они связываются с мономера-ми актина и множеством других белков, регули-руя тем самым динамику полимеризации актина в ходе таких процессов, как движение клеток, ци-токинез и сигнальные процессы [37,39]. К груп-пе профилинов причисляют и минорный аллер-генный компонент пыльцы березы Bet v 2.…”