Latherin

Non-glycosylated, highly conserved protein that is mainly found in the sweat of horses, donkeys, zebras and others. They spread well on surfaces like surfactants and are responsible, among other things, for the thermal effect of the animals. Latherins are also found in the secretions of the salivary glands of other mammals, including the mandibular salivary gland of the cat. Latherin Fel d 8 has been identified as a minor allergen in cats. In horses, latherin Equ c 4 was identified as a major allergen in around 80% of horse allergy sufferers.

1. Hilger C et al. (2015) Molecular diagnostics for mammalian allergy. In: Kleine-Tebbe J et al. Hrsg Molecular allergy diagnostics. Springer Verlag Berlin-Heidelberg S 277-289.

2. Smith W1 et al. (2011) Two newly identified cat allergens: the von Ebner gland protein Fel d 7 and the latherin-like protein Fel d 8 Int Arch Allergy Immunol 156: 159-170.