Trees within the order Fagales possess particularly potent allergens, e.g. the prototypical Bet v 1, the major white birch (Betula 9️⃣ verrucosa - now called B. pendula) pollen antigen. Bet v 1 is the main cause of type I allergies observed 9️⃣ in early spring. Type I, or immunoglobulin E-mediated (IgE-mediated) allergies affect 1 in 5 people in Europe and North America. 9️⃣ Commonly observed symptoms are hay fever, dermatitis, asthma and, in severe cases, anaphylactic shock. First contact with these allergens results 9️⃣ in sensitisation; subsequent contact produces a cross-linking reaction of IgE on mast cells and concomitant release of histamine. The inevitable 9️⃣ symptoms of an allergic reaction ensue.
Categorization [ edit ]
A nomenclature system has been established for antigens (allergens) that cause IgE-mediated 9️⃣ atopic allergies in humans.[2] This nomenclature system is defined by a designation that is composed of the first three letters 9️⃣ of the genus; a space; the first letter of the species name; a space and an Arabic number. In the 9️⃣ event that two species names have identical designations, they are discriminated from one another by adding one or more letters 9️⃣ (as necessary) to each species designation.
The allergens in this family include allergens with the following designations: Bet v 1, Dau 9️⃣ c 1, and Pru a 1. Other proteins belonging to this family include the major pollen allergens:
Structure [ edit ]