Properties of allergens

 a. Allergens are either protein or glycoprotein in nature, with multiple antigenic sites.

 b. Many allergens have intrinsic enzymatic activity that affects the immune response.

c.  Many allergens contain potential pathogen associated molecular patterns.

d.  Many allergens enter the host via mucosal tissues at very low concentrations, which tend to predispose the individual to generate TH2 responses, leading to B-cell secretion of IgE.

TLS Online TPP Program

#Id: 6124

#Unit 3. Fundamental Processes

TLS Online TPP Program

#Id: 6125

#Unit 3. Fundamental Processes

Humans have the enzyme hSMUG1, which removes any U residues that occur in single-stranded DNA during replication or transcription.  Two other human DNA glycosylases, TDG and MBD4, remove either U or T residues paired with G, generated by deamination of cytosine or 5-methylcytosine, respectively.

TLS Online TPP Program

#Id: 6126

#Unit 3. Fundamental Processes

DNA glycosylases recognize and remove formamidopyrimidine and 8-hydroxyguanine (both arising from purine oxidation), hypoxanthine (arising from adenine deamination), and alkylated bases such as 3-methyladenine and 7-methylguanine.

TLS Online TPP Program

#Id: 6127

#Unit 3. Fundamental Processes

Enzymes that remove bases from DNA are called glycosylases and lyases

TLS Online TPP Program

#Id: 6128

#Unit 3. Fundamental Processes

Glycosylase action is followed by the endonuclease APE1, which cleaves the polynucleotide chain on the 5’ side. This in turn attracts a replication complex including the DNA polymerase d/E and ancillary components, which performs a short synthesis reaction extending for two to 10 nucleotides. The displaced material is removed by the endonuclease FEN1.

TLS Online TPP Program

#Id: 6129

#Unit 3. Fundamental Processes

When the initial removal involves lyase action, the endonuclease APE1 instead recruits DNA polymerase b to replace a single nucleotide. The nick is then sealed by the ligase XRCC1/ligase-3. This is called the short-patch pathway.