Protein allergens of white-faced hornet, yellow hornet, and yellow jacket venoms

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Abstract
White-faced hornet, yellow hornet and yellow jacket venoms have similar protein compositions; each contains 3 main basic proteins. Of these proteins, 2 have hyaluronidase and phospholipase activities and the 3rd one, designated as antigen 5, is of as yet unidentified biochemical function. These 3 proteins have MW of about 45,000, 35,000 and 25,000, respectively. The 3 proteins of white-faced hornet venom and antigen 5 of yellow hornet and yellow jacket venoms were purified to near homogeneity. Strong antigenic cross-reaction of the hyaluronidase from these 3 vespid venoms was observed using specific rabbit anti-venom sera, while weak cross-reactions of phospholipases and of antigen 5 were observed. All 3 proteins were active as allergens to varying degrees in vespid sensitive individuals. Antigen 5 of each vespid venom seemed to be the major allergen. The results help clarify the commonly observed varying degrees of multiple sensitivity of people to different vespids.

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