Isolation and Properties of an Allergen from Dwarf Ragweed Pollen

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Abstract
Summary: A highly active allergenic protein has been obtained by fractionation of dwarf ragweed pollen extracts. The material isolated gives a strong line on the Ouchterlony test. It gives skin reactions at concentrations of 2 × 10-6 to 2 × 10-7 µg N/ml. It is also active on the nasal membrane. The protein contains sulfhydryl groups whose state of oxidation-reduction appears to alter its electrophoretic mobility and gel diffusion behavior. A cruder preparation has an S25 value of 3.76 × 10-13. Chemical analyses are given, including qualitative amino acid composition. The appearance of a second allergen in the preparation is discussed in the light of possible changes in the protein structure.