Homology modeling and epitope prediction of Der f 33

Braz J Med Biol Res. 2018 Mar 15;51(5):e6213. doi: 10.1590/1414-431X20186213.

Abstract

Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f), one of the main species of house dust mites, produces more than 30 allergens. A recently identified allergen belonging to the alpha-tubulin protein family, Der f 33, has not been characterized in detail. In this study, we used bioinformatics tools to construct the secondary and tertiary structures and predict the B and T cell epitopes of Der f 33. First, protein attribution, protein patterns, and physicochemical properties were predicted. Then, a reasonable tertiary structure was constructed by homology modeling. In addition, six B cell epitopes (amino acid positions 34-45, 63-67, 103-108, 224-230, 308-316, and 365-377) and four T cell epitopes (positions 178-186, 241-249, 335-343, and 402-410) were predicted. These results established a theoretical basis for further studies and eventual epitope-based vaccine design against Der f 33.

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / chemistry*
  • Allergens / genetics
  • Allergens / immunology
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides / chemistry*
  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides / genetics
  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides / immunology
  • Computational Biology
  • Dermatophagoides farinae / chemistry*
  • Dermatophagoides farinae / genetics
  • Dermatophagoides farinae / immunology
  • Epitope Mapping
  • Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte / chemistry*
  • Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte / genetics
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / chemistry*
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / genetics
  • Molecular Structure
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Sequence Analysis, Protein
  • Tubulin / chemistry*
  • Tubulin / genetics
  • Tubulin / immunology

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides
  • Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • Tubulin