Studies of the allergens of Olea europea pollen

Abstract

Allergens of Olea eurupea have been prepared by isoelectrofocusing and tested by RAST, RAST inhibition and skin tests. The major allergen was found to be an acidic protein of pI 6, consisting of two polypeptide chains of molecular weight 15000 and 17000 daltons, possibly non‐covalently associated into a dimer. Most other allergens were acidic proteins, but basic proteins were also observed with allergenic activity. The RAST inhibition studies show a considerable degree of allergic cross‐reactivity between the isoelectrofocusing fractions.