InterPro domain: IPR006041

Allergies are hypersensitivity reactions of the immune system to specific substances called allergens (such as pollen, stings, drugs, or food) that, in most people, result in no symptoms. A nomenclature system has been established for antigens (allergens) that cause IgE-mediated atopic allergies in humans [WHO/IUIS Allergen Nomenclature Subcommittee King T.P., Hoffmann D., Loewenstein H., Marsh D.G., Platts-Mills T.A.E., Thomas W. Bull. World Health Organ. 72:797-806(1994)]. This nomenclature system is defined by a designation that is composed ofthe first three letters of the genus; a space; the first letter of thespecies name; a space and an arabic number. In the event that two speciesnames have identical designations, they are discriminated from one anotherby adding one or more letters (as necessary) to each species designation.

A number of plant pollen proteins, whose biological function is not yetknown, are structurally related [ 1 ].These proteins are most probably secreted and consist of about 145 residues.There are six cysteineswhich are conserved in the sequence of these proteins. They seem to beinvolved in disulphide bonds.

The pollen allergens in this family belong to the Ole e 1 family and include Ole e 1, Pla l 1, Che a 1, Phl p 11 and Lig v 1.

1. The amino acid sequence of Ole e I, the major allergen from olive tree (Olea europaea) pollen. Eur. J. Biochem. 216, 863-9