Original Paper

Molecular Analysis of the Group 1 and 2 Allergens from the House Dust Mite, Euroglyphus maynei
W. Smith^a, K.L. Mills^a, L.A. Hazell^a, B.J. Hart^b, W.R. Thomas<sup>a

a</sup>TVW Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, West Perth, Australia, and
^bRoyal Agricultural College, Cirencester, UK

Address of Corresponding Author

Int Arch Allergy Immunol 1999;118:15-22 (DOI: 10.1159/000024026)

  Key Words

• House dust mite
• Euroglyphus maynei
• Eur m 1
• Eur m 2
• cDNA

  Abstract

Background: There is increasing evidence that the house dust mite Euroglyphus maynei may be a significant source of allergic sensitization. The structural information for the E. maynei allergens is largely restricted to a single partial genomic sequence of Eur m 1. Methods: A cDNA library was constructed from a culture of E. maynei. Clones encoding the major group 1 and 2 allergens were isolated by DNA hybridization and sequenced. Results: The sequence of several full length clones of Eur m 1 and Eur m 2 were obtained. The full pre–proenzyme sequence of the cysteine protease Eur m 1 was determined. The translated amino acid sequence of Eur m 1 and Eur m 2 had 84–86% sequence identity with the corresponding allergens from Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae mites. This is the same as the degree of sequence identity found between D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae despite Euroglyphus being a member of the Pyroglyphinae subfamily rather than the Dermatophagoidinae subfamily. Conclusion: The sequences of the major Eur m 1 and Eur m 2 allergens are described. Their degree of divergence from the Dermatophagoides spp. is similar to that observed between D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae group 1 and group 2 allergens.

  Author Contacts

Correspondence to: Prof. W.R. Thomas
Division of Molecular Biology, TVW Telethon Institute for Child Health Research
PO Box 855, West Perth, WA 6872 (Australia)
Tel. 61 8 9340 8702, Fax 61 8 9388 3414
E–Mail wayne@ichr.uwa.edu.au

  Article Information

Received: Received: August 19, 1998
Accepted after revision: October 29, 1998
Number of Print Pages : 8
Number of Figures : 4, Number of Tables : 0, Number of References : 28