Journal of Medical Entomology (2010) 47, 868-876

Yu-Bao Cui, Hong-Xing Cai, Ying Zhou, Cui-Xiang Gao, Wei-Hong Shi, Ming Yu and Li Li (2010)
Cloning, expression, and characterization of Der f 7, an allergen of Dermatophagoides farinae from China
Journal of Medical Entomology 47 (5), 868-876
Abstract: A full-length cDNA encoding house dust mite allergen Der f 7 from Dermatophagoides farina. (Acari: Pyroglyphidae) from China was cloned, sequenced, and successfully expressed. A reference sequence (GenBank accession AY283292) was used to design polymerase chain reaction primers. Analysis revealed eight mismatched nucleotides in five Der f 7 cDNA clones, and the projected amino acid sequence contained six incompatible residues. These results suggest that the sequence of Der f 7 may be polymorphic. Further bioinformatic analysis revealed that the mature Der f 7 allergen had a molecular mass of ~21.88 kDa and a theoretical isoelectric point of 4.90. Der f 7 protein secondary structure was composed of alpha helix (56.63%), extended strand (5.10%), and random coil (38.27%). Group 7 allergens are present in Pyroglyphidae, Acaridae, and Glycyphagidae families, and homology analysis revealed a 86% similarity between Der f 7 and Der p 7. Furthermore, a phylogenetic tree constructed of group 7 allergens from different mite species revealed that Der f 7 and Der p 7 clustered with 100% bootstrap support. Bioinformatics-driven characterization of Der f 7 allergen as conducted in this study may contribute to diagnostic and therapeutic applications for dust mite allergies.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
(original language: English)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Yu-Bao Cui

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution
molecular biology - genes

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Dermatophagoides farinae