Structural analysis of the glycoprotein allergen Hev b 4 from natural rubber latex by mass spectrometry

Biochim Biophys Acta. 2006 Apr;1760(4):715-20. doi: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2005.11.012. Epub 2005 Dec 19.

Abstract

The lecithinase homolog (Hev b 4) from Hevea brasiliensis (Q6T4P0_HEVBR) is an important natural rubber latex allergen. Hev b 4 is a highly glycosylated protein and its carbohydrate moiety has been implicated in the binding of IgE from natural rubber latex allergic patients. The cDNA for Hev b 4 has recently been cloned and sequenced. Here, we have analyzed the post-translational modifications of natural Hev b 4 by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry of tryptic peptides. Seven of the eight potential glycosylation sites were found to be occupied. One site, however, was only partially glycosylated. Asn224 was substituted by complex type N-glycans with fucose and xylose, whereas all other sites carried either oligomannose glycans or a mixture of oligomannose and complex N-glycans. Glycosylation site Asn308, the most C-terminal one of the eight sites, was only found in the non-glycosylated form. The complex type N-glycans apparently form the molecular basis for the immune reaction with patients' sera. A large fraction of Hev b 4 molecules contains two or more complex N-glycans and thus a physiological reaction against these polyvalent allergens on the basis of the carbohydrate is in theory possible. Aside from allowing glycosylation analysis, the mass spectrometric data defined the N-terminal cleavage site of Hev b 4. This study once more demonstrates the outstanding analytical potential of electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry coupled with liquid chromatographic separation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / chemistry*
  • Antigens, Plant / chemistry*
  • Binding Sites
  • Glycoproteins / chemistry*
  • Glycosylation
  • Hevea / immunology
  • Mass Spectrometry*
  • Phospholipases / chemistry*
  • Plant Proteins / immunology
  • Polysaccharides / analysis
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Rubber / chemistry*

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Antigens, Plant
  • Glycoproteins
  • Plant Proteins
  • Polysaccharides
  • Rubber
  • Hev b 4 allergen, Hevea brasiliensis
  • Phospholipases