Insights into proteolytic processing of the major peanut allergen Ara h 2 by endogenous peanut proteases.

Background: The major peanut allergens are Ara h 1, Ara h 2 and Ara h 6. Proteolytic processing has been shown to be required for the maturation process of Ara h 6. The aim of this study was to examine whether Ara h 2 undergoes proteolytic processing and, if so, whether proteolytic processing influences its ability to bind human immunoglobulin E (IgE).

Results: Ara h 2 isolated from peanut extract under conditions of protease inhibition revealed a single additional peak for its two known isoforms (Ara h 2.01 and Ara h 2.02), corresponding to a C-terminally truncated form lacking a dipeptide (RY). Ara h 2 isolated in the absence of protease inhibition, however, yielded two additional peaks, identified as C-terminally truncated forms lacking either a dipeptide (RY) or a single tyrosine residue. The IgE-binding capacity of the Ara h 2 truncated forms was not altered.

Conclusion: Ara h 2 undergoes proteolytic processing by peanut proteases that involves C-terminal removal of a dipeptide. Hence Ara h 2 isolated from peanut extract is a complex mixture of two isoforms expressed by different genes, Ara h 2.01 and Ara h 2.02, as well as truncated forms generated by the proteolytic processing of these isoforms.