Airborne birch and oak pollen grains and birch pollen allergens at a common sampling station in Stockholm

In the present study, the airborne concentrations of birch and oak pollen grains and birch pollen allergens have been recorded in samples from a common sampling station in Stockholm. The sampling period was between April 22^nd and May 31^st 2003. The objectives were to evaluate if analysis of allergen particles in parallel with pollen grains would be relevant to aid subjects suffering from pollinosis. Days with low birch pollen counts had relatively high nominal allergen concentrations in the beginning of the sampling period. The birch pollen grain concentration peaks, during the dry pollination culmination interval in the middle of the period, were associated with correspondingly lower nominal concentrations of allergens than grains. At the end of the sampling period very high nominal amounts of allergen appeared, as reflected by high concentrations of oak pollen grains. The high allergen concentrations were obtained as a result of inherent cross‐reactivity of anti‐ Bet v 1 antibodies with Que a antigens, which are immunologically analogous with Bet v 1. Allergen concentrations increased and decreased after light and heavy rain, respectively. Results obtained indicate that adding a pollen count forecast with allergen concentration data should aid pollen allergic subjects to avoid particulate allergens which might be expected to penetrate more easily than pollen grains into indoor environments.     

Study of allergens from vegetables, fruits and berries

Different methods of obtaining allergens from vegetables, fruit and berries have been evaluated. Two technologies for obtaining food allergens have been considered; of these, Coca's method has proved to be more technological, economical and less labor-consuming. The newly developed technology has made it possible to obtain stable, safe and specifically active allergens which may be used for diagnosing food allergy.     

Phenylcoumaran benzylic ether reductase, a prominent poplar xylem protein, is strongly associated with phenylpropanoid biosynthesis in lignifying cells

 It has previously been shown (D.R. Gang et al., 1999, J Biol Chem 274: 7516–7527) that the most abundant protein in the secondary xylem of poplar (Populus trichocarpa cv. `Trichobel') is a phenylcoumaran benzylic ether reductase (PCBER), an enzyme involved in lignan synthesis. Here, the distribution and abundance of PCBER in poplar was studied at both the RNA and protein level. The cellular expression pattern was determined by immunolocalization of greenhouse-grown plants as well as of a field-grown poplar. Compared to other poplar tissues, PCBER is preferentially produced in the secondary xylem of stems and roots and is associated with the active growth period. The protein is present in all cells of the young differentiating xylem, corresponding to the zone of active phenylpropanoid metabolism and lignification. In addition, PCBER is located in young differentiating phloem fibers, in xylem ray parenchyma, and in xylem parenchyma cells at the growth-ring border. Essentially the same expression pattern was observed in poplars grown in greenhouses and in the field. The synthesis of PCBER in phenylpropanoid-synthesizing tissues was confirmed in a bending experiment. Induction of PCBER was observed in the pith of mechanically bent poplar stems, where phenylpropanoid metabolism is induced. These results indicate that the products of PCBER activity are synthesized mainly in lignifying tissues, suggesting a role in wood development. Received: 28 September 1999 / Accepted: 15 March 2000     

Evolution of plant defense mechanisms. Relationships of phenylcoumaran benzylic ether reductases to pinoresinol-lariciresinol and isoflavone reductases

Pinoresinol-lariciresinol and isoflavone reductase classes are phylogenetically related, as is a third, the so-called "isoflavone reductase homologs." This study establishes the first known catalytic function for the latter, as being able to engender the NADPH-dependent reduction of phenylcoumaran benzylic ethers. Accordingly, all three reductase classes are involved in the biosynthesis of important and related phenylpropanoid-derived plant defense compounds. In this investigation, the phenylcoumaran benzylic ether reductase from the gymnosperm, Pinus taeda, was cloned, with the recombinant protein heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli. The purified enzyme reduces the benzylic ether functionalities of both dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol and dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol, with a higher affinity for the former, as measured by apparent Km and Vmax values and observed kinetic 3H-isotope effects. It abstracts the 4R-hydride of the required NADPH cofactor in a manner analogous to that of the pinoresinol-lariciresinol reductases and isoflavone reductases. A similar catalytic function was observed for the corresponding recombinant reductase whose gene was cloned from the angiosperm, Populus trichocarpa. Interestingly, both pinoresinol-lariciresinol reductases and isoflavone reductases catalyze enantiospecific conversions, whereas the phenylcoumaran benzylic ether reductase only shows regiospecific discrimination. A possible evolutionary relationship among the three reductase classes is proposed, based on the supposition that phenylcoumaran benzylic ether reductases represent the progenitors of pinoresinol-lariciresinol and isoflavone reductases.     

Cross-reactivity of birch anthers and leaves with birch pollen antigens and allergens. A fine-structural immunocytochemical study using the post-embedding protein-A-gold technique

Ultra-thin sections of vegetative tissues from birch (anthers and leaves) were labeled for pollen antigens and allergens using a commercial rabbit IgG antibody preparation directed against birch pollen antigens and allergens. Antibody binding sites were visualized using the protein A-gold technique. Specific labeling occurred in anther tissue (tape-tum cells, anther wall cells) as well as in the birch leaf (assimilation parenchyma). In both types of tissue, antigens and allergens were detected throughout the living protoplast (including cell organelles such as nuclei, mitochondria, and plastids). The cellulose cell walls were always free from anti-birch-pollen IgG-binding sites. The immunological controls (normal rabbit IgG) showed a low degree of nonspecific labeling. In plant tissues belonging to genera quite different from birch (tulip anther, rhododendron leaves), after incubation with the specific IgG weak labeling was observed. The immunological basis for these results is discussed.     

Three-dimensional structure of the cross-reactive pollen allergen Che a 3: visualizing cross-reactivity on the molecular surfaces of weed, grass, and tree pollen allergens

Two EF-hand calcium-binding allergens (polcalcins) occur in the pollen of a wide variety of unrelated plants as highly cross-reactive allergenic molecules. We report the expression, purification, immunological characterization, and the 1.75-A crystal structure of recombinant Che a 3 (rChe a 3), the polcalcin from the weed Chenopodium album. The three-dimensional structure of rChe a 3 resembles an alpha-helical fold that is essentially identical with that of the two EF-hand allergens from birch pollen, Bet v 4, and timothy grass pollen, Phl p 7. The extensive cross-reactivity between Che a 3 and Phl p 7 is demonstrated by competition experiments with IgE Abs from allergic patients as well as specific Ab probes. Amino acid residues that are conserved for the two EF-hand allergen family were identified in multiple sequence alignments of polcalcins from 15 different plants. Next, the three-dimensional structures of rChe a 3, rPhl p 7, and rBet v 4 were used to identify conserved amino acids with high surface exposition to visualize surface patches as potential targets for the polyclonal IgE Ab response of allergic patients. The essentially identical three-dimensional structures of rChe a 3, rPhl p 7, and rBet v 4 explain the extensive cross-reactivity of allergic patients IgE Abs with two EF-hand allergens from unrelated plants. In addition, analyzing the three-dimensional structures of cross-reactive Ags for conserved and surface exposed amino acids may be a first approach to mapping the conformational epitopes on disease-related Ags that are recognized by polyclonal patient Abs.     

Visualization of birch pollen allergens using IgE-containing sera from human atopic individuals in immunogold labelling experiments

Summary Pollen from birch trees (Betula pendula) was fixed in paraformaldehyde with or without the addition of 0.5% cetylpyridinium chloride, dehydrated and embedded in Lowicryl K4M in the cold. Ultrathin sections were incubated using the following sequence of antibodies and antisera: IgE-containing serum from an atopic human individual allergic to birch pollen allergens, rabbit anti-human IgE antibodies, and colloidal gold-labelled goat anti-rabbit antibodies. Controls were performed by replacing the specific human antiserum by serum from an atopic person with a similar level of IgE antibodies directed against allergens other than birch pollen allergens, or by omitting the human antiserum or the anti-IgE antibody or both. In test experiments, there was a dense specific labelling of the exine and the cytoplasmic matrix of the pollen grain. There was moderate labelling of the apertural regions (poral plugs). There was no labelling of the intine. In pollen grains fixed with the addition of cetylpyridinium chloride, an electron-dense surface coat was precipitated on the outside of the pollen wall. This surface material also remained completely unlabelled.     

Solution structure, dynamics, and hydrodynamics of the calcium-bound cross-reactive birch pollen allergen Bet v 4 reveal a canonical monomeric two EF-hand assembly with a regulatory function

Birch pollinosis is one of the prevailing allergic diseases. In all, 5-20% of birch pollinotics mount IgE antibodies against the minor birch pollen allergen Bet v 4, a Ca2+-binding polcalcin. Due to IgE cross-reactivity among the polcalcins these patients are polysensitized to various plant pollens. Determination of the high-resolution structure of holo Bet v 4 by heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy reveals a canonical two EF-hand assembly in the open conformation with interhelical angles closely resembling holo calmodulin. The polcalcin-specific amphipathic COOH-terminal alpha-helix covers only a part of the hydrophobic groove on the molecular surface. Unlike the polcalcin Phl p 7 from timothy grass, which was recently shown to form a domain-swapped dimer, the hydrodynamic parameters from NMR relaxation, NMR translational diffusion, and analytical ultracentrifugation indicate that both apo and holo Bet v 4 are predominantly monomeric, raising the question of the physiological and immunological significance of the dimeric form of these polcalcins, whose physiological function is still unknown. The reduced helicity and heat stability in the CD spectra, the poor chemical shift dispersion of the NMR spectra, and the slightly increased hydrodynamic radius of apo Bet v 4 indicate a reversible structural transition upon Ca2+ binding, which explains the reduced IgE binding capacity of apo Bet v 4. The remarkable structural similarity of holo Bet v 4 and holo Phl p 7 in spite of different oligomerization states explains the IgE cross-reactivity and indicates that canonical monomers and domain-swapped dimers may be of similar allergenicity. Together with the close structural homology to calmodulin and the hydrophobic ligand binding groove this transition suggests a regulatory function for Bet v 4.     

Delphinidin,a dietary anthocyanidin in pigmented fruits and vegetables: A new weapon to blunt prostate cancer growth

In a recent publication, we have shown that delphinidin, an anthocyanidin induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in highly metastatic human prostate cancer (PCa) PC3 cells. Extending these studies, we provide additional evidence that delphinidin induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in androgen refractory human PCa 22Rn1 cells and that these effects are concomitant with inhibition of NF-kB. We observed that delphinidin treatment to 22Rn1 cells resulted in a dose-dependent (i) G2/M phase cell cycle arrest, (ii) induction of apoptosis (iii) and inhibition of NF-kB signaling. The induction of apoptosis by delphinidin was mediated via activation of caspases since a general caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK significantly reversed this effect. Delphinidin treatment to cells resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in (i) phosphorylation of IKKgamma (NEMO), (ii) phosphorylation of NF-kB inhibitory protein, (iii) phosphorylation of NF-kB/p65 at Ser536 and NF-kB/p50 at Ser529, (iv) NF-kB/p65 nuclear translocation, and (v) NF-kB DNA binding activity. Taken together, our data show that delphinidin induces apoptosis of both androgen independent and androgen refractory human PCa cells via activation of caspases and in addition, this effect might be due to inhibition of NF-kB signaling. We suggest that delphinidin could be developed as a novel agent against PCa.     

Fungi, quality and safety issues in fresh fruits and vegetables

The role of moulds in the spoilage of fresh fruits and vegetables is discussed. Although the major problems are economic with a significant loss of useful food materials, there are a few examples implicating a role for mycotoxins in the safety of fresh fruits. The significance of the mycotoxins patulin, ochratoxin and tenuazonic acid will be reviewed.     

Identification of an allergen related to Phl p 4, a major timothy grass pollen allergen,in pollens,vegetables, and fruits by immunogold electron microscopy

Group 4 grass pollen allergens represent 60 kDa glycoproteins recognized by 70% of patients sensitive to these pollens. An antiserum against purified Phl p 4 from timothy grass pollen was used to investigate various pollens, fruits, and vegetables for Phl p 4-related allergens by immunogold electron microscopy. In timothy grass, mugwort, and birch pollens, allergens were located in the wall, and in timothy grass and birch pollens additionally in the cytoplasm. In peanut, apple, celery root, and carrot root, only cytoplasmic areas were labeled. Group 4-related allergens thus occur in pollens of unrelated plants and in plant food and may therefore contribute to crossreactivities in patients allergic to various pollens and plant food.     

Anthropogenic impact on the presence of L. monocytogenes in soil, fruits, and vegetables

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Listeria sp. and Listeria monocytogenes in soil samples with reference to type of fertilizers (natural and artificial) and distance from places intensively exploited by men, as well as to determine the relationship between the presence of L. monocytogenes in the soil and in fruits and vegetables. The examined 1,000 soil samples originated from 15 different areas, whilst 140 samples of fruits and 210 samples of vegetables were collected from those areas. L. monocytogenes was isolated only from 5.5 % of all soil samples coming exclusively from meadows intensively grazed by cattle (27.8 %) and areas near food processing plants (25 %) and wild animal forests (24 %). Listeria sp. and L. monocytogenes were not present on artificially fertilized areas and wastelands. L. monocytogenes was detected in 10 % of samples of strawberry, 15 % of potato samples, and 5 % of parsley samples. Our data indicate that Listeria spp. and particularly L. monocytogenes were found in the soil from (1) arable lands fertilized with manure, (2) pasture (the land fertilized with feces of domestic animals), and (3) forests (again, the land fertilized with feces of animals, not domestic but wild). The bacteria were not detected in the soil samples collected at (1) artificially fertilized arable lands and (2) wastelands (the lands that were not fertilized with manure or animal feces). Moreover, a correlation was determined in the presence of L. monocytogenes between soil samples and samples of the examined fruits and vegetables.     

Isolation ofCryptococcus neoformans var.neoformans from bird droppings,fruits and vegetables in Mexico City

The presence ofCryptococcus neoformans in various natural sources, such as bird droppings, fruits and vegetables, was investigated. A total of 711 samples were analyzed;C. neoformans var.neoformans was isolated from seven out of 74 bird droppings (9.5%), with parrots as one of the most significant sources. Fruits were positive in 9.5% of the 169 samples studied, specially citrus fruits, particularly grapefruit, in which the highest frequency was found. From the 468 vegetable samples, only 20 were positive (4.2%). It is emphasized that five of the positive vegetables species are autochthonous to Mexico: avocado (Nectandra salicifolia), beet (Beta vulgaris var.quinopodiace), chayote (Sechium edule), stringbean (Cassia sp), and nopal (Opuntia ficus-indica).     

Characterization of a birch pollen allergen, Bet v III, representing a novel class of Ca2+ binding proteins: specific expression in mature pollen and dependence of patients' IgE binding on protein-bound Ca2+.

A cDNA coding for a birch pollen allergen, Bet v III, with significant sequence homology to Ca2+ binding proteins was isolated from an expression cDNA library using serum IgE from a patient who was allergic to pollen. The deduced amino acid sequence of the pollen allergen contained three typical Ca2+ binding sites. Peptides mimicking the Ca2+ binding sites of Bet v III were synthesized and shown to bind 45Ca in blot overlays. The binding of patients' IgE to the recombinant allergen depended on the native protein conformation and protein-bound Ca2+. Depletion of Ca2+ led to a reversible loss of the IgE binding thus representing a conformational IgE epitope adopted by a polypeptide upon Ca2+ binding. By RNA hybridization it was demonstrated that Bet v III is expressed preferentially in mature pollen. Bet v III therefore represents a pollen allergen which because of its unique structural features also belongs to a novel class of Ca2+ binding proteins.     

Sources,impact and exchange of early-spring birch pollen in the Moscow region and Finland

The paper presents an assessment of birch pollen seasons in Finland and Russia. The re-analysis covered the period from 1994 to 2005 and was focused on suspected long-range transport events that were recorded both in Moscow and at several Finnish sites. In order to trace the origin of airborne pollen before the onset of local pollination, we used both aerobiological and phenological observations combined with forward and adjoint (inverse) dispersion model simulations. It is shown that, although the Moscow region is surrounded by extensive birch forests, it still receives substantial amounts of foreign pollen before local pollination. In the Moscow region, the sources of long-range-transported pollen are in the south and south-west, sometimes even in the east. In Finland, there are frequently cases, before the local flowering season, in which Finnish territory receives Russian pollen; however in the opposite direction, from Finland to the Moscow region, no transport episodes were unequivocally registered. Analysis of the end of the seasons was more problematic, due to contributions to pollen observations from local sources; this results in difficulties in the reliable identification of the long-range transport episodes. Apart from its short-term effects on the pollen seasons, long-range transport can have substantial impacts on the exchange of genetic material within Europe. A quick atmospheric pathway for gene transport can be important for adaptation of plants to a changing climate.     

Diarylcarbonates are a new class of deubiquitinating enzyme inhibitor

Promiscuous inhibitors of tyrosine protein kinases, proteases and phosphatases are useful reagents for probing regulatory pathways and stabilizing lysates as well as starting points for the design of more selective agents. Ubiquitination regulates many critical cellular processes, and promiscuous inhibitors of deubiquitinases (DUBs) would be similarly valuable. The currently available promiscuous DUB inhibitors are highly reactive electrophilic compounds that can crosslink proteins. Herein we introduce diarylcarbonate esters as a novel class of promiscuous DUB inhibitors that do not have the liabilities associated with the previously reported compounds. Diarylcarbonates stabilize the high molecular weight ubiquitin pools in cells and lysates. They also elicit cellular phenotypes associated with DUB inhibition, demonstrating their utility in ubiquitin discovery. Diarylcarbonates may also be a useful scaffold for the development of specific DUB inhibitors.