Allergenic latex protein

Abstract

The present invention relates to a protein found in natural rubber that can induce an allergic reaction in persons who have been sensitised to it. The invention provides for the process of isolating and purifying the protein and describes the characteristics of the protein, including its molecular weight, isoelectric point, amino acid sequence and allergenicity. The invention also describes the isolation and cloning a the DNA that encodes the protein. The production of the recombinant version of the protein using a protein expression vector is described.

1 . An antibody that selectively binds to a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5. 
     
     
         2 . The antibody of  claim 1 , wherein said antibody is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         3 . The antibody of  claim 1 , wherein said antibody is a polyclonal antibody. 
     
     
         4 . The antibody of  claim 1 , wherein said antibody is a recombinant antibody. 
     
     
         5 . The antibody of  claim 1 , wherein said antibody is a single chain variable fragment. 
     
     
         6 . The antibody of  claim 1 , wherein said antibody is an IgE. 
     
     
         7 . An immunoassay for the presence of an antibody to allergenic latex protein in a sample, said immunoassay comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5;   (b) reacting with said protein a sample suspected of containing the antibody of  claim 1 ; and   (c) detecting a reaction between said protein and said antibody in said sample.   
     
     
         8 . A method of providing immunotherapy for a patient who is susceptible to an allergic reaction to latex, the method comprising administering to the patient an immunotherapeutically effective amount of the antibody of  claim 1 .