11S globulin (11S)

11S globulins, also known as legumins, are a major class of seed storage proteins found in the seeds of many dicotyledonous and some monocotyledonous plants, including legumes, nuts, and oilseeds [1, 2]. Belonging to the cupin superfamily, these proteins are characterized by a conserved bicupin structure featuring a beta-barrel "jelly roll" fold [2, 5]. Biologically, 11S globulins serve as the primary reservoir of nitrogen, carbon, and minerals essential for successful seed germination and early plant embryo development [1, 18]. They are typically synthesized as proglobulin precursors that undergo post-translational proteolytic cleavage into acidic and basic subunits, which subsequently assemble into stable, high-molecular-weight hexameric complexes [3, 14]. In human medicine, 11S globulins are clinically significant as potent food allergens capable of triggering severe IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reactions, ranging from mild urticaria to life-threatening anaphylaxis [1, 16]. Notable members of this family include peanut Ara h 3, soybean glycinin (Gly m 6), and hazelnut Cor a 9 [3, 9]. While they are not traditional targets for small molecule drugs, they are the central targets of allergen immunotherapy (AIT), such as the approved peanut flour product Palforzia, which aims to induce immunological tolerance through controlled exposure [16]. Additionally, they are being researched as targets for neutralizing monoclonal antibodies and as sources for bioactive peptides with potential antihypertensive and antioxidant properties [4, 6, 12].

Other names

Legumin11S seed storage proteinLegumin-like proteinGlycinin (Soybean)Amandin (Almond)Cucurbitin (Pumpkin)Ara h 3 (Peanut)Gly m 6 (Soybean)Cor a 9 (Hazelnut)Sin a 2 (Mustard)Procruciferin (Arabidopsis)Legumin-type globulin

The therapeutic mechanism involves the induction of immunological tolerance through allergen immunotherapy (AIT), which shifts the immune response from a Th2-mediated allergic pathway to a Th1/Treg-mediated regulatory pathway. Additionally, experimental approaches aim to target these proteins with neutralizing monoclonal antibodies to prevent IgE cross-linking and subsequent mast cell degranulation.