Thompson S J, Carswell F
Department of Child Health, University of Bristol, UK.
Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol. 1988;85(3):312-5. doi: 10.1159/000234523.
The natural production of Der pl, the major faecal allergen from the house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus), was investigated. Mite cultures grown on radiolabelled substrate were examined at intervals over a period of 21 days and incorporation of radiolabel into the mite proteins measured over the time course. Mite proteins were extracted, purified by chromatofocussing and characterized by immunodiffusion, SDS-PAGE, electroblotting and autoradiography. The faecal allergen, Der pl, did not incorporate a significant level of label until the 14th day (p less than 0.05). The results suggest that Der pl is a protein synthesized and excreted by the house dust mite.
