Fluorescence of atopic allergens

Abstract

Purified atopic allergens have been found to emit flue fluorescence upon irradiation with ultraviolet light of 365 mμ wavelength. The maximum of fluorescence is in the region 445–490 mμ and the intensity is of the same order of magnitude for different atopic allergens. Synthetic model compounds, incorporating N-substituted 1-amino-1-deoxy-2-ketoses and their enolic tautomers, exhibit similar fluorescence characteristics. A study of the pH-dependence of fluorescence emission indicates both the 1,2-enol and 2,3-enediol tautomers to be involved, the latter compound probably contributing to fluorescence in the form of a cyclic structure.

These results offer independent evidence for the incorporation of N-glycosidically linked sugar in atopic allergens.