Molecular characterization of major cat allergen Fel d 1: Expression of heterodimer by use of a baculovirus expression system

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  • Ulla Seppälä
  • Hägglund, Per Mårten
  • Peter A. Wurtzen
  • Henrik Ipsen
  • Peter Thorsted
  • Thomas Lenhard
  • Peter Roepstorff
  • Michael D. Spangfort

Fel d 1 is a major cat allergen inducing allergic rhinitis and asthma in sensitized individuals. It has a more complex structure when compared with other allergens and therefore expression of recombinant Fel d 1 has been considered a challenge. The present study shows for the first time that a Baculovirus expression system is able to produce an intact rFel d 1 molecule that is glycosylated and structurally equivalent to the natural cat allergen, nFel d 1. Enzymatic digestion of rFel d 1 and further analysis by use of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) resulted in a complete coverage of the amino acid sequence of rFel d 1. In addition, the three disulfide bridges at the positions α70-β7, α44-β48, and α3-β373 were verified. The N-glycan structure of rFel d 1 was investigated by a combination of MALDI-TOF MS and monosaccharide analysis by high performance anion exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAC). The N-glycosylation analyses of rFel d 1 refer to a pattern, of glycoforms including core α1.3-fucosylation that is different from nFel d 1. Further characterization by use of human serum IgE, histanaine release, and lymphocyte proliferation assays demonstrated that the immunological characteristics of rFel d 1 are similar to those of nFel d 1. Detailed characterization of both natural and recombinant allergens provides tools to explore immunological mechanisms associated with allergen sensitization and desensitization.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry
Volume280
Issue number5
Pages (from-to)3208-3216
Number of pages9
ISSN0021-9258
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 4 Feb 2005

ID: 240161696