Molecular Basis of Arthropod Cross-Reactivity: IgE-Binding Cross-Reactive Epitopes of Shrimp, House Dust Mite and Cockroach Tropomyosins

Abstract

The IgE recognition by shrimp-allergic individuals of identified and/or similar amino acid sequences homologous to Pen a 1 epitopes in mite, cockroach and lobster tropomyosins are the basis of the in vitro cross-reactivity among invertebrate species. Based on amino acid sequence similarity and epitope reactivity, lobster tropomyosin has the strongest and cockroach the least cross-reactivity with shrimp. The clinical relevance of these cross-reactivities in developing allergic reactions to different arthropods needs to be determined.