Molecular Cloning and Immunological Characterization of The Group 7 Allergens of House Dust Mites

The group 7 allergens of house dust mites (both Der p 7 and Der f 7) have been characterized by cDNA cloning. The cDNA clone HD6 of Der p 7 isolated by using human IgE contained DNA encoding a 215 residue protein. The cDNA encoding Der f 7 was amplified using the polymerase chain reaction and cloned into E. coli. It encoded a 213 residue protein containing a predicted 17 amino acid leader sequence, no cysteines and a single N-glycosylation site similar to Der p 7. An amino acid sequence identity of 86% of Der f 7 to that of Der p 7 was found. No homologues of both sequences to those of proteins in the data banks were found.