Proteomic analysis of wheat flour allergens

J Agric Food Chem. 2007 Aug 22;55(17):6863-70. doi: 10.1021/jf070843a. Epub 2007 Jul 27.

Abstract

Wheat can cause severe IgE-mediated systematic reactions, but knowledge on relevant wheat allergens at the molecular level is scanty. The aim of the present study was to achieve a more detailed and comprehensive characterization of the wheat allergens involved in food allergy to wheat using proteomic strategies, referred to as "allergenomics". Whole flour proteins were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis with isoelectric focusing and lithium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Then, IgE-binding proteins were detected by immunoblotting with sera of patients with a food allergy to wheat. After tryptic digestion, the peptides of IgE-binding proteins were analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry. In this study, we identified four previously reported wheat allergens or their sequentially homologous proteins [serpin, alpha-amylase inhibitor, gamma-gliadin, and low molecular weight (LMW) glutenin] by a database search. As a result of the high resolution of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, nine subunits of LMW glutenins were identified as the most predominant IgE-binding antigens. The two-dimensional allergen map can be beneficial in many ways. It could be used, for example, for precise diagnosis of wheat-allergic patients and assessment of wheat allergens in food. Additionally, we compared allergenomics to conventional biochemical methods and evaluated the usefulness of a proteomic strategy for identifying putative allergens to wheat allergy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / analysis*
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Blood Proteins / analysis
  • Flour / analysis*
  • Glutens / blood
  • Glutens / chemistry
  • Glutens / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin E / metabolism
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Plant Proteins / analysis*
  • Plant Proteins / chemistry
  • Plant Proteins / immunology*
  • Proteomics
  • Triticum / chemistry*
  • Wheat Hypersensitivity / blood
  • Wheat Hypersensitivity / immunology

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Blood Proteins
  • Plant Proteins
  • Immunoglobulin E
  • Glutens
  • glutenin