Three-dimensional model of the honeybee venom allergen Api m 7: structural and functional insights

Mol Biosyst. 2010 Jun;6(6):1056-60. doi: 10.1039/b923127g. Epub 2010 Mar 17.

Abstract

Api m 7 is one of the major protease allergens of the honeybee venom. It consists of a serine protease-like (SPL) and a CUB domain. The knowledge about the structure and function of Api m 7 is limited mainly to its amino acid sequence. Three-dimensional models of the two structural domains were constructed using their amino acid sequences and the crystallographic coordinates of prophenoloxidase-activating factor (PPAF-II) as a template for the SPL domain and the coordinates of porcine spermadhesin PSP-II for the CUB domain. The structural organization of Api m 7 suggests that the CUB domain is involved in interactions with natural substrates while the SPL domain probably activates zymogens. IgE epitopes and antigenic sites were predicted. Api m 7 shows structural and functional similarity to the members of the PPAF-II family. Possible substrates, function and evolution of the enzyme are discussed in the paper.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / chemistry*
  • Allergens / genetics
  • Allergens / metabolism
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Bee Venoms / immunology*
  • Bees / genetics
  • Bees / immunology
  • Bees / metabolism
  • Binding Sites / genetics
  • Epitopes / chemistry
  • Epitopes / metabolism
  • Immunoglobulin E / metabolism
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary*
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Serine Proteases / chemistry*
  • Serine Proteases / genetics
  • Serine Proteases / metabolism

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Bee Venoms
  • Epitopes
  • Immunoglobulin E
  • Api m 7 allergen, Apis mellifera
  • Serine Proteases