Citrin allergy is rare but perplexing

In the setting of reported reactions to citrus seed and pectin in patients with cashew allergy, Konstantinou et al1 sought to determine whether they could identify homologous antigens in citrus seeds, pectin, and cashews. As described in their article “Citrin: a novel food allergen in citrus seeds and citrus-derived pectin that shows cross-reactivity with cashew and pistachio,” they used gel electrophoresis, Western blots, and tandem mass spectrometry to identify citrin, an 11S globulin seed storage protein in the cupin superfamily, as a comm on denominator in lemon, orange and grapefruit seeds, grapefruit pectin, and citrus pectin.
Source: Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology - Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Tags: Editorial Source Type: research