Structure, Function and IgE Epitopes of the Peanut Panallergen Ara h 8

 Bet v 1 from birch pollen is a common sensitizing agent and Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS) results when patients consume certain fruits, vegetables, tree nuts and peanuts.  Here, we report the 3-dimensional structure of Ara h 8, the Bet v 1 homolog from peanut.  The overall fold is very similar to that of Bet v 1, Api g 1 (celery), Gly m 4 (soy) and Pru av 1 (cherry).  Ara h 8 binds the isoflavones quercetin and apigenin, as well as resveratrol avidly.  Using micro-chip technology we have mapped the important linear epitopes for IgE binding.