Immunoblots of termite extract with anti-cockroach allergen antibodies.

<p>(A) GCr (left lane of each panel) and Cf termite extract (right lane of each panel) (1 μg) were resolved by SDS-PAGE and stained to visualize protein or transferred to PVDF and probed with rabbit anti-cockroach allergen antibodies (1:500) followed by IRdye 800 labeled anti-rabbit secondary antibody (1:10000). Molecular weight markers are shown to the left of the SDS-PAGE gel. (B) The GCr (left lane of each panel) and Cf extracts (right lane of each panel) were probed with a monoclonal anti-Bla g 1 antibody and an IRdye800 labeled goat anti-mouse secondary antibody. Molecular weight markers are shown to the left of the PVDF membrane. (C) Western blots of Cf termite whole body extract. Purified scFvs were used as primary antibodies (1.0 μg/mL) and horseradish peroxidase-conjugated anti-hemagglutinin (1:1000) was used for detection using a chemiluminescent substrate.</p

Termite peptide matches to cockroach allergen protein sequences.

<p>Termite peptide matches to cockroach allergen protein sequences.</p

Termite proteins cross-react with anti-cockroach allergen antibodies.

<p>Cf termite extract (1 μg) or German cockroach extract (GCr, 1 μg) was added to the wells of a microtiter plate for ELISA and probed with rabbit anti-cockroach allergen antibodies (1:500) followed by IRdye 800 labeled anti-rabbit antibody (1:10000). Black bars represent GCr extract and white bars represent Cf termite extract signals. Samples were tested 4 times and mean values are shown with standard deviation included as error bars. Relative IRdye800 signal is shown on the y-axis and anti-cockroach allergen antibody designation is shown on the x-axis.</p

Putative termite homologs of cockroach allergen genes.

<p>Putative termite homologs of cockroach allergen genes.</p

Termite proteins cross-react with IgE from human cockroach allergic sera.

<p>(A) Western blot of GCr (left lane of each panel) and Cf termite (right lane of each panel) extracts. The proteins were separated on SDS-PAGE gel followed by transfer onto PVDF membrane. After blocking for 2 hr the blot was incubated with four GCr allergic serum pools S1Cr and P1-4 (1:10). Specific IgE binding was determined following sequential addition of biotinylated goat anti-human IgE (1:1000), and HRP-conjugated streptavidin (1:10,000). (B). 96-well plates were coated with termite extract (100 μg/mL) overnight at 4°C. After blocking for 2 hr, GCr allergic serum pools (1:10) were added to each well. Specific IgE binding was determined following sequential addition of biotinylated goat anti-human IgE (1:1000), HRP-conjugated streptavidin (1:10,000), and TMB substrate. (C) Dose response binding of human IgE in human serum pool (S1Cr) with the indicated amount of Cf termite extract.</p

Termite proteins cross-react with anti-cockroach allergen scFvs in ELISA assays.

<p>(A) This assay was performed in sandwich format using two separate collections of detection agents. Serially diluted Cf termite extract was first added to a mixture of anti-cockroach scFvs either generated non-specifically using whole body GCr extract or specifically targeted against recombinant Bla g 1, 2, or 4, and one scFv from a naïve human library screened against whole GCr extract that were coupled to unique bead sets as capture agents in 96-well filter bottom plates. A mixture of rabbit anti-E6Cg cockroach extract polyclonal antibodies, anti Bla g 1, anti Bla g 2, and anti Bla g 4 IgGs (1:500) were used as detection antibodies, followed by biotinylated anti-rabbit (1:1000) and streptavidin-RPE (1:500). MFI detected for selected scFvs is on the y-axis. (B) Ninety six well plates were coated with serially diluted Cf termite extract overnight at 4°C. ScFvs (1.0 ug/mL) were added to each well after blocking. The binding was determined after addition of HRP-conjugated anti-HA antibodies. Samples were tested 2 times and mean absorbance values are reported. Serially diluted extract (log scale) is on the x-axis.</p

RNA-Seq Analysis of Developing Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) Embryos Reveals Parallel Expression Patterns among Allergen and Lipid Metabolism Genes

The pecan nut is a nutrient-rich part of a healthy diet full of beneficial fatty acids and antioxidants, but can also cause allergic reactions in people suffering from food allergy to the nuts. The transcriptome of a developing pecan nut was characterized to identify the gene expression occurring during the process of nut development and to highlight those genes involved in fatty acid metabolism and those that commonly act as food allergens. Pecan samples were collected at several time points during the embryo development process including the water, gel, dough, and mature nut stages. Library preparation and sequencing were performed using Illumina-based mRNA HiSeq with RNA from four time points during the growing season during August and September 2012. Sequence analysis with Trinotate software following the Trinity protocol identified 133,000 unigenes with 52,267 named transcripts and 45,882 annotated genes. A total of 27,312 genes were defined by GO annotation. Gene expression clustering analysis identified 12 different gene expression profiles, each containing a number of genes. Three pecan seed storage proteins that commonly act as allergens, Car i 1, Car i 2, and Car i 4, were significantly up-regulated during the time course. Up-regulated fatty acid metabolism genes that were identified included acyl-[ACP] desaturase and omega-6 desaturase genes involved in oleic and linoleic acid metabolism. Notably, a few of the up-regulated acyl-[ACP] desaturase and omega-6 desaturase genes that were identified have expression patterns similar to the allergen genes based upon gene expression clustering and qPCR analysis. These findings suggest the possibility of coordinated accumulation of lipids and allergens during pecan nut embryogenesis