Bioinformatics Approaches to Classifying Allergens and Predicting Cross-Reactivity

Catherine H. Schein, Ovidiu Ivanciuc, Werner Braun

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

63 Scopus citations

Abstract

Allergenic proteins from very different environmental sources have similar sequences and structures. This fact may account for multiple allergen syndromes, whereby a myriad of diverse plants and foods may induce a similar IgE-based reaction in certain patients. Identifying the common triggering protein in these sources, in silico, can aid designing individualized therapy for allergen sufferers. This article provides an overview of databases on allergenic proteins, and ways to identify common proteins that may be the cause of multiple allergy syndromes. The major emphasis is on the relational Structural Database of Allergenic Proteins (SDAP [http://fermi.utmb.edu/SDAP/]), which includes cross-referenced data on the sequence, structure, and IgE epitopes of over 800 allergenic proteins, coupled with specially developed bioinformatics tools to group all allergens and identify discrete areas that may account for cross-reactivity. SDAP is freely available on the Web to clinicians and patients.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1-27
Number of pages27
JournalImmunology and Allergy Clinics of North America
Volume27
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2007
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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