Genomic analysis of allergen genes in Aspergillus spp.: The relevance of genomics to everyday research

Abstract

Full genomic sequencing of Aspergillus fumigatus and other genomes has allowed correction of Aspergillus allergen gene sequences and requires revision of Genbank and IUIS sequences of allergens. In addition allergens in other fungal species may be found in the aspergilli. We compared the published sequences of numerous allergens with recently available genome sequences. This analysis suggests that Aspf 56KD, Asp f 15 and Asp f 16 should be removed from the approved allergen list and that Asp f 17 is a larger protein than published. Additionally we propose likely gene candidates for Asp f GST (Afu6g09690) and Asp o lipase (AO090701000644). We suggest that the heat shock allergens should be re-classified: Asp f 12 should be classified as HSP90 (Asp f 12), HSP88 (Mala s 10) and HSP70 (Alt a 3, Cla h 4 and Pen c 19) according to human gene nomenclature. Comparison of fungal allergen databases with genome sequences suggests the presence of a core set of allergen - like proteins in all fungi. We also analysed allergens in the 3 sequenced aspergilli to look for internal homologies and this suggests that multi gene families may produce numerous cross-reactive allergens.