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

J Biol Chem. 2005 Feb 4;280(5):3208-16. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M410668200. Epub 2004 Nov 15.

Abstract

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 alpha70-beta7, alpha44-beta48, and alpha3-beta73 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 alpha1.3-fucosylation that is different from nFel d 1. Further characterization by use of human serum IgE, histamine 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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / chemistry*
  • Allergens / genetics*
  • Allergens / immunology
  • Animals
  • Antibody Specificity
  • Base Sequence
  • Binding, Competitive / immunology
  • Carbohydrate Sequence
  • Cats
  • Cell Line
  • Dimerization
  • Glycoproteins / chemistry*
  • Glycoproteins / genetics*
  • Glycoproteins / immunology
  • Glycosylation
  • Histamine / metabolism
  • Immunoglobulin E / metabolism
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Plasmids
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
  • Spodoptera
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Glycoproteins
  • Immunoglobulin E
  • Histamine
  • Fel d 1 protein, Felis domesticus