Abstract | BACKGROUND: OBJECTIVE: This study sought to purify and characterize the peptidase responsible for the majority of proteolytic activity present in the pollen extract of P judaica, and to investigate its contribution to the allergic response. METHODS: A serial of chromatographic steps was applied to isolate the peptidase from P judaica's pollen, and its biochemical properties were determined. Bioactive peptides present in the airways were incubated with the peptidase, and their degradation was visualized by direct protein sequencing. In addition, we measured the cellular detachment, by methylene blue binding assay, of an airway-derived epithelial cell line (A549) in the presence of the peptidase, and visualized, by Western blot, the degradation of proteins from intercellular junctions. RESULTS: CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the P judaica aminopeptidase can alter the integrity of the epithelium barrier by degrading occludin as well as E-cadherin. In addition, P judaica aminopeptidase can degrade bioactive peptides, which can exacerbate the overall bronchoconstrictive effect detected in asthmatic lungs. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The novel aminopeptidase described here could constitute a relevant therapeutic target in the treatment of allergic disorders induced by the pollen of P judaica.
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Authors | Luísa Cortes, Ana Luísa Carvalho, Ana Todo-Bom, Carlos Faro, Euclides Pires, Paula Veríssimo |
Journal | The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology
(J Allergy Clin Immunol)
Vol. 118
Issue 4
Pg. 878-84
(Oct 2006)
ISSN: 0091-6749 [Print] United States |
PMID | 17030241
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Cadherins
- Membrane Proteins
- Neuropeptides
- OCLN protein, human
- Occludin
- Aminopeptidases
- Pj-peptidase, Parietaria judaica
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Topics |
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Aminopeptidases
(isolation & purification, pharmacology, physiology)
- Cadherins
(drug effects)
- Cells, Cultured
- Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
- Epithelium
(metabolism)
- Humans
- Immunoblotting
- Mass Spectrometry
- Membrane Proteins
(drug effects)
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Neuropeptides
(drug effects)
- Occludin
- Parietaria
(chemistry, immunology)
- Pollen
(chemistry, immunology)
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