Asil Avjioglu

Cloning sequencing of Lol pI, the major allergenic protein of rye-grass pollen

We have isolated a full length cDNA clone encoding the major glycoprotein allergen Lol pI. The clone was selected using a combination of immunological screening of a cDNA expression library and PCR amplification of Lol pI‐specific transcripts. Lol pI expressed in bacteria as a fusion protein shows recognition by specific IgE antibodies present in sera of grass pollen‐allergic subjects. Northern analysis has shown that the Lol pI transcripts are expressed only in pollen of rye‐grass. Molecular cloning of Lol pI provides a molecular genetic approach to study the structure—function relationship of allergens.

Pollen allergens: molecular cloning and mechanism for pollen-induced asthma.

Grass pollen is the major outdoor environmental factor provoking the immediate hypersensitive response of allergic disease in about one in five of the human population (see review by Howlett and Knox,1984). The symptoms are induced by the production of specific types of human defence molecules of the immune system, especially Immunoglubulin E (IgE). Allergens are environmental antigens which induce the formation of specific IgE, and bind specifically to IgE on the surface of epithelial mast cells. This triggers the mast cells to release the mediators of allergy.