CHARACTERIZATION OF A MAJOR ALLERGEN (COD) - EFFECT OF ENZYMIC HYDROLYSIS ON ALLERGENIC ACTIVITY

A previously isolated major allergenic fraction from cod was hydrolyzed with proteolytic enzymes and carbohydrases and subjected to in vivo digestion experiments. Effects of these procedures were noted on its allergenic activity measured by ability to induce direct and indirect skin test reactivity and antigenic capacity to react with specific rabbit antiserum. Extensive hydrolysis with trypsin, pepsin, subtilisin, and pronase resulted in complete destruction of both properties. Partial hydrolysis and extensive elastase treatment partially reduced both of these activities to the same extent. © 1969.