Isolation and characterization of the mountain cedar (Juniperus ashei) pollen major allergen, Jun a 1

Terumi Midoro-Horiuti, Randall M. Goldblum, Alexander Kurosky, David W. Goetz, Edward G. Brooks

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

55 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Cedar pollens are important causes of seasonal allergic disease in diverse geographic areas. Objective: A major allergen from mountain cedar (Juniperus ashei) pollen, termed Jun a 1, was isolated and characterized. Methods: Water-soluble pollen glycoproteins were extracted, salt precipitated, and purified with use of concanavalin A affinity chromatography or HPLC. The purified fractions were characterized by SDS-PAGE, immunoblotting, and N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis. Binding of allergen-specific IgE from the sera of cedar-hypersensitive patients was detected by ELISA and antigen-specific responses of peripheral blood T cells by tritiated thymidine incorporation. Results: The major extractable cedar pollen glycoprotein had a molecular weight and N-terminal amino acid sequence that was similar to that of the major allergen Cha o 1, from Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa), and Cry j 1, from Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica). IgE from cedar-hypersensitive patients' sera bound to the isolated glycoprotein. Conclusion: The predominance of Jun a 1 in the soluble proteins of mountain cedar pollen and its high degree of homology with Cha o 1 and Cry j 1 make it likely to be the major allergen of this pollen. Amino acid sequence conservation also makes Jun a 1 a potential target for cross-reactivity between these pollen allergens. The observed reactivity of IgE from the sera of Japanese cedar-sensitive patients with Jun a 1 is con-sistent with this proposition.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)608-612
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Volume104
Issue number3 II
DOIs
StatePublished - 1999

Keywords

  • Allergen
  • Cha o 1
  • Chamaecyparis obtusa
  • Cry j 1
  • Cryptomeria japonica
  • Jun a 1
  • Juniperus ashei
  • Juniperus sabinoides
  • Mountain cedar
  • Pollinosis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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