High-level expression in Escherichia coli and purification of recombinant plant profilins: comparison of IgE-binding capacity and allergenic activity

Abstract

Because of their structural similarity and ubiquitous distribution as actin binding proteins, plant profilins represent important cross-reactive allergens for almost 20% of patients suffering from Type I allergy to pollen and other plant products. The cDNAs coding for three birch profilin variants (Tyr44, Glu47, and Asn47), timothy grass profilin, and three tobacco profilin isoforms (ntprof1-3) were expressed at high levels in Escherichia coli as non-fusion proteins. The recombinant plant profilins were purified to homogeneity by poly (L-proline) affinity chromatography and showed comparable capacity to bind IgE-antibodies from profilin allergic patients. All recombinant plant profilins elicited dose-dependent histamine release from basophils of a profilin allergic patient and induced immediate type skin reactions. It is concluded that profilins from different plant species share IgE-epitopes and allergenic properties. Plant profilins therefore constitute a family of functional pan-allergens which may substitute each other for diagnosis and specific immunotherapy.