Sanjukta Mondal

Evaluation of electroelution and immunodiffusion as methods for purification and identification of the allergenic proteins of Ailanthus excelsa Roxb. pollen

The total soluble proteins from the pollen of Ailanthus excelsa Roxb., a potentially allergenic plant, was extracted and separated on a 12% SDS‐Polyacrylamide gel with an aim to identify the allergenic determinants responsible for causing respiratory disorders. The protein profile revealed nine prominent bands, which were designated as AE1 to AE9 lying within a short molecular weight range of 42.7 kDa to 97.4 kDa. Each protein fraction was recovered from the gel by electroelution and sent for skin tests to identify the allergenic fractions. All the protein fractions except AE3 (85.3 kDa), were found to be capable of inducing reactivity in sensitive patients. However, AE6 (59.7 kDa) and AE8 (45.0 kDa) proved to be the major allergenic determinants, while AE1 (97.4 kDa), AE2 (92.6 kDa), AE4 (73.3 kDa), AE5 (64.8 kDa), AE7 (52.4 kDa) and AE9 (42.7 kDa) are the minor contributors of allergenicity. Immunodiffusion analysis with pooled sera of patients sensitive to the total extract also revealed similar results.

Circumscription of the families within Leguminales as determined by cladistic analysis based on seed protein

Comparative banding pattern of the seed protein of 17 taxa belonging to the three families Mimosaceae, Caesalpiniaceae and Fabaceae was studied with the aim of testing the proposed delimitation of the order Leguminales (Fabales) into the three families or subfamilies and to assess the phylogenetic relationships within the three families. Cluster and pairing affinity or similarity index analysis of the data from total protein grouped the 17 taxa into three discrete clusters based on their families. Considerable amount of homology was observed in the banding pattern between the different taxa.