Identification of canary grass (Phalaris aquatica) pollen allergens by immunoblotting: IgE and IgG antibody‐binding studies

Abstract

The pollen of canary grass, which was introduced as a pasture grass from Europe, is a major allergen in the external environment of southern Australia. Seventeen allergenic fractions of canary grass pollen, ranging in mol. mass from 14 to 100 kDa. have been identified by immunoblotting, using IgE antibodies from sera of 24/30 grass‐pollen‐allergic subjects. The highest frequency of IgE binding (77%) was to a major 34‐kDa fraction (tentatively designated Pha a I). This protein bas been partially purified and identified as a group I allergen by immunodepletion experiments, with partially purified Lol p I (from rye‐grass pollen), atopic serum, and Lol p I‐specific MAb. In addition, microsequenc..