Art v 1

Art v 1 is the major allergen found in the pollen of mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), a common weed in the Compositae family. Mugwort pollen is a significant cause of allergic reactions, particularly in late summer and autumn. Art v 1 is a glycoprotein with a defensin-like domain and a hydroxyproline-rich domain .

Art v 1 is a modular protein composed of an N-terminal cysteine-rich domain, similar to plant defensins, and a C-terminal proline-rich region. The proline-rich region contains several (Ser/Ala)(Pro)2-4 repeats, and some proline residues are post-translationally modified by hydroxylation and O-glycosylation . These modifications are crucial for the protein’s allergenic properties, as they influence IgE antibody binding .

Recombinant Art v 1 is produced using Escherichia coli, which allows for the generation of nonglycosylated forms of the protein. This recombinant form is valuable for research and therapeutic purposes, as it serves as a template for engineering hypoallergenic vaccines for weed-pollen therapy .

Art v 1 is a significant allergen for mugwort-allergic patients, with sensitization rates varying by geographical location. In Europe, sensitization rates range from 10% to 15%, while in some regions, up to 95% of mugwort-allergic patients are sensitized to Art v 1 . The allergen can trigger respiratory symptoms such as allergic rhino-conjunctivitis and asthma, as well as pollen-food allergy symptoms like oral allergy syndrome, urticaria, angioedema, and anaphylaxis .

Art v 1 exhibits cross-reactivity with other allergens, particularly those from ragweed (Ambrosia) and sunflower. This cross-reactivity is due to the structural similarities between Art v 1 and other allergens, making it a prominent diagnostic marker for mugwort pollen sensitization .