Olive-pollen profilin. Molecular and immunologic properties

Olive-pollen profilin has been isolated and characterized as a significant allergen. Its molecular properties, such as a molecular mass of 15 kDa; amino-acid composition; and secondary repetitive structure percentages of 15% alpha-helix, 33% beta-strand, 20% beta-turn, and 32% random coil, have been determined. Its allergenic capability, a recognition frequency estimated at 24% of olive-hypersensitive patients, and high cross-reactivity with all the pollen used have been found. The presence of conformational epitopes in the olive profilin, as well as a high structural and immunologic similarity to other pollen sources such as birch and ash, can be established from these studies.