Insights into proteolytic processing of the major peanut allergen Ara h 2 by endogenous peanut proteases

BACKGROUND: The major peanut allergens are Ara h 1, Ara h 2 and Ara h 6. Proteolytic processing has been shown to be required for the maturation process of Ara h 6. The aim of this study was to examine whether Ara h 2 undergoes proteolytic processing and, if so, whether proteolytic processing influences its ability to bind human immunoglobulin E (IgE). RESULTS: Ara h 2 isolated from peanut extract under conditions of protease inhibition revealed a single additional peak for its two known isoforms (Ara h 2.01 and Ara h 2.02), corresponding to a C‐terminally truncated form lacking a dipeptide (RY). Ara h 2 isolated in the absence of protease inhibition, however, yielded two additional peaks, identified as C‐terminally truncated forms lacking either a dipeptide (RY) or a single tyrosine residue. The IgE‐binding capacity of the Ara h 2 truncated forms was not altered. CONCLUSION: Ara h 2 undergoes proteolytic processing by peanut proteases that involves C‐terminal removal of a dipeptide. Hence Ara h 2 isolated from peanut extract is a complex mixture of two isoforms expressed by different genes, Ara h 2.01 and Ara h 2.02, as well as truncated forms generated by the proteolytic processing of these isoforms. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Enzymatic treatment of peanut kernels to reduce allergen levels

This study investigated the use of enzymatic treatment to reduce peanut allergens in peanut kernels as affected by processing conditions. Two major peanut allergens, Ara h 1 and Ara h 2, were used as indicators of process effectiveness. Enzymatic treatment effectively reduced Ara h 1 and Ara h 2 in roasted peanut kernels by up to 100% under optimal conditions. For instance, treatment of roasted peanut kernels with α-chymotrypsin and trypsin for 1–3 h significantly increased the solubility of peanut protein while reducing Ara h 1 and Ara h 2 in peanut kernel extracts by 100% and 98%, respectively, based on ELISA readings. Ara h 1 and Ara h 2 levels in peanut protein extracts were inversely correlated with protein solubility in roasted peanut. Blanching of kernels enhanced the effectiveness of enzyme treatment in roasted peanuts but not in raw peanuts. The optimal concentration of enzyme was determined by response surface to be in the range of 0.1–0.2%. No consistent results were obtained for raw peanut kernels since Ara h 1 and Ara h 2 increased in peanut protein extracts under some treatment conditions and decreased in others.     

中国花生致敏蛋白的识别

我国对花生过敏方面的研究很少。本实验利用中国常用花生品种识别鉴定了中国主要的致敏蛋白,比较了国内外花生品种致敏蛋白相对含量的差异,期望找到中国花生过敏发病率较低的原因,为临床食物过敏患者的治疗和低过敏花生品种的培育提供理论依据。研究结果表明:Ara h1和三条Ara h3多肽是中国主要的致敏蛋白,并发现了Ara h1的亚基,分子量为58kD的多肽。Ara h1和Ara h3的相对含量各品种之间差异显著,并且低于国外花生品种。因此中国花生主要致敏蛋白相对含量低可能是导致中国花生过敏发病率较低的主要原因。     

Peanut varieties with reduced Ara h 1 content indicating no reduced allergenicity

Peanut allergy is a major cause of food‐induced severe anaphylactic reactions. To date, no medical care is available to prevent and treat peanut allergy and therefore hypoallergenic peanut varieties are of considerable health political and economic interest. Major allergens that induce IgE‐responses in peanut‐sensitive patients are Ara h 1, Ara h 2 and Ara h 3/4. In order to identify hypoallergenic peanuts, commercially locally available peanut varieties were screened for their allergen content. Ara h 1‐deficient peanuts from Southeast Asia were identified by SDS‐PAGE, immunoblotting, inhibition assays and ELISA. 2‐D PAGE analyses demonstrated the different compositions of the tested extracts and revealed a number of variations of the allergen patterns of peanuts from different varieties. Mediator release experiments of these peanut extracts demonstrated similar allergenicities as compared with standard peanut extract. These results indicate that the allergenicity of peanuts with reduced Ara h 1 content might be compensated by the other allergens, and thus do not necessarily cause a reduction of allergenicity.     

Reduction of major peanut allergens Ara h 1 and Ara h 2, in roasted peanuts by ultrasound assisted enzymatic treatment

This study investigated the effects of ultrasound, enzyme concentration and enzyme treatment time on soluble protein and major allergenic proteins (Ara h 1 and Ara h 2) of roasted peanut kernels. A 3-factor, five-level orthogonal experimental design was implemented with various ultrasonication times, concentrations of trypsin or α-chymotrypsin and treatment times. The total soluble proteins were determined by the Bicinchoninic acid (BCA) method, Ara h 1 and Ara h 2 were evaluated by SDS–PAGE and sandwich ELISA. The IgE-binding of peanut extracts was analysed by a competitive inhibition ELISA. Results indicate that ultrasound treatment, followed by protease digestion of peanuts, significantly increased the solubility of peanut protein and decreased the concentrations of Ara h 1 and Ara h 2. The sequential treatment of peanuts by ultrasonication–trypsin–alpha chymotrypsin, resulted in maximum reductions of Ara h 1/Ara h 2, and lowest IgE-binding. This study provides an approach to significantly reduce allergenic proteins in peanut product.     

花生主要过敏原Ara h 1线性B细胞表位的预测及鉴定

花生过敏由于其高致敏率和致敏严重性而引起了人们的广泛关注。Ara h 1是花生中的主要过敏原,属于Cupin超家族,通过抗原表位识别结合免疫球蛋白E引发花生过敏。本研究采用生物信息学分析花生主要过敏原Cupin超家族Ara h 1线性B细胞表位氨基酸组成,及其与Ara h 1二级、三级结构之间关系,通过质谱分析Ara h 1氨基酸序列中的抗消化肽段,并分析抗消化肽段与预测线性B细胞表位的关系。结果表明,Ara h 1的线性B细胞表位富含亲水性氨基酸和带电氨基酸;其二级结构没有明显的分布规律,具有一定的回转折叠结构;分析Ara h 1三级结构发现,表位主要位于单体之间的疏水相互作用区域,部分表位埋入三聚体构象内部;Ara h 1抗消化序列与表位之间存在部分重叠。综上,质谱检测体外模拟胃肠道消化肽段并结合表位生物信息学分析可以作为鉴定Cupin超家族线性B细胞表位的新方法。     

Proteolytic processing of the peanut allergen Ara h 3

The allergen Ara h 3 has been purified recently from peanuts. In contrast to recombinant Ara h 3, a 60 kDa single-chain polypeptide, the allergen isolated from its native source is extensively proteolytically processed. The characteristic proteolytic processing for 11S plant storage proteins of the glycinin family is observed for Ara h 3 yielding an acidic and a basic subunit, bound by a disulfide bridge. In addition to this, proteolytic truncation is observed for the acidic subunit but not for the basic subunit of Ara h 3. A series of Ara h 3 polypeptides ranging from 13-45 kDa was separated by sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and each band was digested by trypsin. Peptides related to the bands were identified and a scheme positioning the different polypeptides in the Ara h 3 sequence has been constructed. Peptide analysis showed sequence heterogeneity at two positions indicating the presence of multiple genes encoding variant, but highly homologous Ara h 3 proteins. The pool of Ara h 3 polypeptides from its native source illustrated that allergen from the peanut is much more complex than the recombinant protein used for epitope mapping experiments. From several Ara h 3 truncation products one or more immunoglobulin E (IgE) binding sites had been removed. Characterization of the allergenicity of Ara h 3 should therefore also include IgE-binding studies with peanut-derived Ara h 3, providing the high degree of variation in the Ara h 3 protein structure, as this is what peanut-allergic individuals are confronted with.     

Polyphenol oxidase/caffeic acid may reduce the allergenic properties of peanut allergens

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) catalyzes the oxidation of tyrosine residues of proteins and, therefore, their cross‐linking. Previously we demonstrated that cross‐links produced by peroxidase (POD), which also catalyzes tyrosine oxidation, led to a reduction in the allergenic properties of peanut allergens. 11 We postulated in this study that PPO can also reduce the allergenic properties by cross‐linking the allergens. Because caffeic acid, a phenolic compound, can cross‐link proteins, its effect on peanut allergens was also examined. In the experiments, peanut extracts were treated with and without PPO, PPO/caffeic (pH 8, 37 °C for 1 h) and caffeic acid (pH 10.5, overnight), respectively. The samples were then analyzed for cross‐links and IgE binding by SDS‐PAGE, Western blots, and competitive inhibition ELISA. Results showed that, in all cases, cross‐links and a decrease of the levels of two peanut major allergens, Ara h 1 and Ara h 2, were observed. Of the three treatments, PPO/caffeic was the most effective in reducing IgE binding or the allergenic properties of peanut allergens. The availability of tyrosine residues was also demonstrated in a POD‐treated system, using a monoclonal antibody against dityrosine. We concluded that PPO/caffeic acid reduced the allergenic properties of Ara h 1 and Ara h 2 by cross‐linking and decreasing the levels of allergens. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Reducing the allergenic capacity of peanut extracts and liquid peanut butter by phenolic compounds

Phenolic compounds are known to form soluble and insoluble complexes with proteins. The objective of this study was to determine if phenolics such as caffeic, chlorogenic and ferulic acids form insoluble and irreversible complexes with major peanut allergens, and if such complexation reduces immunoglobulin E (IgE) binding. After adding each of the phenolics to peanut extracts and liquid peanut butter, the soluble materials were analysed by SDS–PAGE and inhibition ELISA. Results showed that addition of the phenolics precipitated most of the major peanut allergens, Ara h 1 and Ara h 2, and that complexation was irreversible. IgE binding was reduced approximately 10- to 16-fold. We concluded that reducing IgE binding by phenolics is feasible. The research, if proven by clinical studies, could lead to the development of less allergenic liquid peanut-based products.     

重组花生过敏原Ara h 2生物合成

为获得重组花生过敏原Ara h 2。通过RT-PCR 合成cDNA,并以此为模板进行PCR 扩增目的基因Ara h 2,扩增产物经纯化后克隆至pMD19-T Simple 载体中,构建重组质粒pMD19-T-Ara h 2。上述重组质粒经酶切纯化后定向克隆到pGEX-4T-1 表达载体中,构建原核表达载体pGEX-4T-1-Ara h 2,并转化表达宿主菌BL21-codonPlus(DE3)-RIPL 中,经IPTG 诱导表达。SDS-PAGE 电泳结果表明,该表达蛋白大小约为46kD,与理论值相符。通过Glutathione Sepharose 4B 凝胶亲和层析方法纯化融合蛋白GST-Ara h 2,获得融合蛋白纯度约为90%。Western blotting 分析表明,经纯化的融合蛋白能与抗Ara h 2 兔血清发生特异性反应,说明该蛋白具有良好的免疫原性。     

A two-site monoclonal antibody immunochromatography assay for rapid detection of peanut allergen Ara h1 in Chinese imported and exported foods

Food allergen labeling has not yet been implemented in China. Therefore, a gold immunochromatography assay (GICA) was developed using two monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against the peanut allergen Ara h1. The GICA was specific for standard peanut samples with a sensitivity of 10 ng/ml. Peanut protein traces extracted from 124 food products imported and exported by China Customs were easily and rapidly detected by GICA. 68 food samples originally labeled as containing peanuts were positive for Ara h1 and 54 food samples labeled as not containing peanuts were negative for Ara h1, indicating that the labels from the manufacturers were accurate. However, 2 food samples labeled as not containing peanuts tested positive for Ara h1. The present GICA provides a fast, simple, semi-quantitative method for the determination of peanut allergens in foods. This detection system can be used to ensure the safety of food imported and exported by China Customs.     

High-pressure microfluidisation-induced changes in the antigenicity and conformation of allergen Ara h 2 purified from Chinese peanut

BACKGROUND: Peanut allergy is one of the most serious food allergies, and Ara h 2 is one of the most important peanut allergens as it is recognised by serum immunoglobulin E from more than 90% of peanut‐allergic individuals. Dynamic high‐pressure microfluidisation has been widely used in food processing as a new technology. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of high‐pressure microfluidisation on the antigenicity and structure of Ara h 2. Extracted peanut allergen Ara h 2 was treated under a continuous pressure array of 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 MPa. Immunoreactivity was measured by indirect enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay with rabbit polyclonal antibodies. Secondary structure was analysed by circular dichroism. Surface hydrophobicity and sulfhydryl groups were assessed via fluorescence and UV absorption spectra respectively. RESULTS: High‐pressure microfluidisation treatment decreased the antigenicity of peanut allergen Ara h 2, changed its secondary structure and increased its UV absorption intensity and surface hydrophobicity. CONCLUSION: The change in conformation contributed to the decrease in antigenicity of Ara h 2, and the spatial conformation of peanut allergen Ara h 2 plays a critical role in its antigenicity. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

加工方式和蛋白提取方法对花生蛋白致敏性的影响

加工方式影响花生蛋白的致敏性。本实验系统的研究了中国传统花生制品(水煮和油炸花生)和美国常食用的烘烤花生致敏性的差异,并比较了不同蛋白提取缓冲溶液对花生致敏蛋白提取效率的影响。结果表明:不同花生制品在不同的缓冲溶液中蛋白提取效率不同,水煮和油炸并没有较烘烤方式降低致敏蛋白的数量,而降低花生蛋白的致敏性。因此加工方式并不是导致中国花生过敏发病率低的主要原因。     

Boiling peanut Ara h 1 results in the formation of aggregates with reduced allergenicity

Scope : Roasting rather than boiling and Maillard modifications may modulate peanut allergenicity. We investigated how these factors affect the allergenic properties of a major peanut allergen, Ara h 1. Methods and results : Ara h 1 was purified from either raw (N‐Ara h 1) or roasted (R‐Ara h 1) peanuts. Boiling (100°C 15 min; H‐Ara h 1) resulted in a partial loss of Ara h 1 secondary structure and formation of rod‐like branched aggregates with reduced IgE‐binding capacity and impaired ability to induce mediator release. Glycated Ara h 1 (G‐Ara h 1) formed by boiling in the presence of glucose behaved similarly. However, H‐ and G‐Ara h1 retained the T‐cell reactivity of N‐Ara h 1. R‐Ara h 1 was denatured, comprised compact, globular aggregates, and showed no evidence of glycation but retained the IgE‐binding capacity of the native protein. Conclusion : Ara h 1 aggregates formed by boiling were morphologically distinct from those formed by roasting and had lower allergenic activity. Glycation had no additional effect on Ara h 1 allergenicity compared with heating alone. Taken together with published data on the loss of Ara h 2/6 from boiled peanuts, this supports the hypothesis that boiling reduces the allergenicity of peanuts.     

离子交换层析法分离花生过敏原Ara h2的研究

为了制备出花生中重要过敏原Arah2,以生花生为材料,采用脱脂、离心、膜透析、离子交换层析等方法,纯化花生过敏原Arah2。结果显示,采用阴离子交换层析方法,制取的Arah2蛋白纯度达90%,得率为21.9%,该方法为过敏原Arah2的分离研究提供了可行的实验参数。     

还原协同加热处理对花生过敏原Ara h2结构及抗原性的影响

花生过敏能引起荨麻疹、呕吐甚至休克等症状,通常是终生性过敏。本研究运用加热处理、半胱氨酸还原对Ara h2进行单独和复合处理,采用圆二色谱、紫外扫描光谱、间接竞争酶联免疫吸附法分别检测蛋白加工前后的结构与抗原性变化。结果显示,单一的加热和半胱氨酸还原处理过的蛋白结构与抗原性只发生部分变化。而复合处理中,在加热条件下,半胱氨酸还原蛋白的能力明显增强,还原后的蛋白二级结构与三级结构发生大幅变化,抗原性显著降低。研究结果表明,二硫键对于蛋白Ara h2结构稳定具有重要作用,二硫键被还原和加热过程破坏后,蛋白的抗原性和结构即发生重大变化。还原协同加热处理有望大幅改善2S球蛋白的结构和致敏性,可以作为蛋白脱敏加工的备选方法。     

Isolation and characterization of natural Ara h 6: evidence for a further peanut allergen with putative clinical relevance based on resistance to pepsin digestion and heat

Peanut allergy is a significant health problem because of its prevalence and the potential severity of the allergic reaction. The characterization of peanut allergens is crucial to the understanding of the mechanism of peanut allergy. Recently, we described cloning of the peanut allergen Ara h 6. The aim of this study was isolation and further characterization of nAra h 6. We purified nAra h 6 from crude peanut extract using gel filtration and anion exchange chromatography. The preparation was further characterized by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-D PAGE) with subsequent immunoblotting. Stability of nAra h 6 was studied by an in vitro digestibility assay as well as by resistance against thermal processing. Sequencing of nAra h 6 identified the N-terminal amino acid sequence as MRRERGRQGDSSS. Further results clearly demonstrated stability of nAra h 6 against pepsin digestion and heating. Immunoglobulin G (IgE) binding analysis and its biological activity shown by RBL 25/30-test of natural Ara h 6 supported the importance of this peanut allergen. Investigation of nAra h 6 revealed evidence for a further peanut allergen with putative clinical relevance based on resistance to pepsin digestion and heat.     

Expression of recombinant Ara h 6 in Pichia pastoris but not in Escherichia coli preserves allergic effector function and allows assessment of specific mutations

Scope: Ara h 6 has recently been recognized as an important peanut allergen. Recombinant allergens have been used for analysis of IgE binding, but have not been used to analyze the allergic effector activity that is more relevant to allergic reactions. Methods and results: Ara h 6 was expressed as a recombinant protein in both Escherichia coli and Pichia pastoris (rAra h 6‐E. coli and rAra h 6‐Pichia, respectively). Effector activity was assayed by measuring degranulation of RBL SX‐38 cells sensitized with IgE from patients with severe peanut allergy. Compared to native Ara h 6 (nAra h 6), rAra h 6‐Pichia had intact effector function whereas rAra h 6‐E. coli had significantly reduced function. The lower effector activity in rAra h 6‐E. coli compared to nAra h 6 and rAra h 6‐Pichia did not appear to be due to differences in posttranslational modificatons (analyzed by mass spectrometry and staining for carbohydrates) and may be due to subtle alteration(s) of folding seen on CD analysis and on nonreduced gels. Finally, we introduced point mutations in four important IgE‐binding linear epitopes of Ara h 6 and found dramatically reduced allergic effector activity. Conclusion: Our studies demonstrate the utility of fully functional rAra h 6‐Pichia as a starting point for analysis of specific mutations that adversely affect allergic effector function.     

基于Arah6的花生间接竞争ELISA检测方法的建立

建立了基于花生主要过敏原蛋白Arah6的间接竞争酶联免疫检测法,实现了对食物中花生的定量检测。利用花生过敏原Arah6纯品免疫新西兰大白兔,制得兔抗Arah6的多克隆抗体,以Arah6纯品作为包被抗原、自制抗体为一抗、辣根过氧化物酶标记的羊抗兔IgG为二抗,确定了包被抗原质量浓度为1μg/mL,一抗最佳稀释度为1:50000,酶标二抗稀释度为1:5000。此检测方法对Arah6的定量检测范围为16.5～10000ng/mL(折合成含花生的含量,约为165ng/mL～100μg/mL),抑制方程为抑制率I=21.418lgC-6.0633(C为Arah6的质量浓度,单位ng/mL),IC50为414.6ng/mL,相关系数R2=0.9989。该检测方法灵敏度高,检测范围广,适用于食品中花生现场快速检测。     

基于表位预测的花生过敏原Ara h 6 免疫交叉反应性研究

为了探讨花生过敏原Ara h 6 与其他同源蛋白之间的交叉反应,通过各种生物信息数据库(Genbank,DiscoTope)以及网络工具及软件(BLAST,NPS@和Protean,Clustal x,PyMOL),开展基于表位预测的Ara h 6交叉免疫反应性研究。结果表明：肽段AA10～15、45～48、53～60、116～118 区域可能是Ara h 6 的线性表位优势区域;Ara h 6 的构象型表位优势区有4 个,它们存在的区域为AA1～13、35～51、53～59、89～105;基于线性表位预测的15 种蛋白质与Ara h 6 可能具有交叉反应性,其中4 种(Ara i 6,conglutin,Ara d 6 和conglutin 8)发生交叉反应的概率为100%;基于构象型表位预测的17 种蛋白质与Ara h 6 可能具有交叉反应性,其中4 种(Ara i 6,conglutin,Ara d 6 和conglutin 8)发生交叉反应的概率为100%。本结果对进一步了解Ara h 6 的过敏性以及指导开展食品中Ara h 6 的免疫学检测具有重要作用。