Identification of a novel allergen from muscle and various organs in banana shrimp (Fenneropenaeus merguiensis)

Abstract

Background: The increasing consumption of shellfish can cause an increase in allergic symptoms. Shrimp allergy can be species specific, but specific allergies in different organs have not been studied. Identification of allergens in muscle and others organs of banana shrimp is necessary for improved diagnostics of allergies for shrimp and food safety control.

Objective: To identify the IgE-binding proteins in various organs of Fenneropenaeus merguiensis by immunoblotting and tandem mass spectrometry.

Methods: Proteomic methods were used to investigate the allergenic proteins from banana shrimp. Proteins from muscle and various organs were separated by denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Allergens were analyzed by immunoblotting with pooled sera from shrimp allergic patients (n = 21) and tandem mass spectrometry.

Results: The important allergens in banana shrimp are arginine kinase, sarcoplasmic calcium-binding protein, myosin heavy chain, hemocyanin, enolase, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, which can be demonstrated by immunoblotting in muscle and shell. Moreover, vitellogenin, ovarian peritrophin 1 precursor, β-actin, and 14-3-3 protein were suggested as allergens in the ovary at different stages of ovarian development.

Conclusion: Ten allergens were identified as allergens in various organs, and they are suggested as novel allergens in banana shrimp. The major allergen in muscle and shell from this shrimp is arginine kinase, whereas the major allergen in the ovary is vitellogenin.