Pr-10 proteins

The family of stress-inducible plant proteins ("pathogenesis related protein family 10") belongs to the Bet v 1 superfamily. This superfamily currently comprises 14 families with 23,609 members from 4418 species. The widely distributed proteins of this superfamily are based on the typical Bet v 1 structure.

The Bet v 1 family is a member of this superfamily. It in turn comprises 11 subfamilies.

The "Pathogenesis-related protein family 10" is one of these subfamilies with the number 10 and comprises the most important proteins homologous to Bet v 1.

Even botanically distantly related plants contain traces of thermolabile Bet v 1 homologous proteins. This is true not only for other pollen plants (e.g. hazelnut, alder, beech, oak) but also for numerous fruit and vegetable varieties, as well as nuts and legumes. Sensitization to members of the "pathogenesis related protein family 10" is the basis for the cross-reactions observed in birch pollen allergic persons, e.g. to apples (see below apple allergy) and pears (e.g. birch pollen-nut-nut pome fruit syndrome). Due to the heat and lability of the allergens in the gastric environment, these are generally limited to the oral cavity (oral allergy syndrome). However, in some cases (e.g. after eating carrots, celery, soya, hazelnuts and kiwi) severe symptoms with swelling in the head area or - very rarely - anaphylactic reactions may occur.

1. Kleine-Tebbe J et al (2015) Bet v 1 and homologue: Causes of building pollen allergy and birch pollen associated cross reactions. In: Kleine-Tebbe J et al. Hrsg Molecular Allergy Diagnostics. Springer Verlag Berlin-Heidelberg S 17-32.