Structure of the house dust mite allergen Der f 2: implications for function and molecular basis of IgE cross-reactivity

FEBS Lett. 2005 Feb 14;579(5):1208-12. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2004.11.115. Epub 2005 Jan 21.

Abstract

The X-ray structure of the group 2 major allergen from Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f 2) was determined to 1.83 A resolution. The overall Der f 2 structure comprises a single domain of immunoglobulin fold with two anti-parallel beta-sheets. A large hydrophobic cavity is formed in the interior of Der f 2. Structural comparisons to distantly related proteins suggest a role in lipid binding. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) cross-reactivity between group 2 house dust mite major allergens can be explained by conserved surface areas representing IgE binding epitopes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / chemistry*
  • Allergens / immunology*
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides / chemistry*
  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides / immunology*
  • Arthropod Proteins
  • Cross Reactions / immunology*
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Epitopes / immunology
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Immunoglobulin E / immunology*
  • Lipid Metabolism
  • Models, Molecular
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Pyroglyphidae / chemistry*
  • Pyroglyphidae / immunology

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides
  • Arthropod Proteins
  • Dermatophagoides farinae antigen f 2
  • Epitopes
  • Immunoglobulin E