Research background: Peanut allergy poses a significant threat to human health due to the increased risk of long-term morbidity at low doses. Modifying protein structure to affect sensitization is a popular topic.
Experimental approach: In this study, the purified peanut allergen Ara h 1 was enzymatically hydrolysed using Flavourzyme, alkaline protease or a combination of both. The binding ability of Ara h 1 to antibodies, gene expression and secretion levels of the proinflammatory factors interleukin-5 and interleukin-6 in Caco-2 cells was measured. Changes in the secondary and tertiary structures before and after treatment with Ara h 1 were analysed by circular dichroism and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE).
Results and conclusions: The results indicated a decrease of the allergenicity and proinflammatory ability of Ara h 1. The evaluation showed that the Flavourzyme and alkaline protease treatments caused particle shortening and aggregation. The fluorescence emission peak increased by 3.4-fold after the combined treatment with both proteases. Additionally, the secondary structure underwent changes and the hydrophobicity also increased 8.95-fold after the combined treatment.
Novelty and scientific contribution: These findings partially uncover the mechanism of peanut sensitization and provide an effective theoretical basis for the development of a new method of peanut desensitization.
Keywords: Ara h 1; peanut allergen; protease treatment; protein structure analysis.
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