Chicken serum albumin (alpha-livetin) (Gal d 5)

Chicken serum albumin (Gal d 5, also known as alpha-livetin) is a major protein allergen purified from egg yolk of Gallus domesticus (chicken)[5][7]. It is a 69 kDa water-soluble globular glycoprotein making up around 7% of egg yolk proteins[5][3]. Gal d 5 is a partially heat-labile molecule—that is, its allergenicity is reduced but not eliminated by heating[2][4]. It is the primary causative allergen in bird-egg syndrome, where sensitization leads to both respiratory symptoms (such as asthma and rhinitis) and food allergy symptoms upon exposure to egg or bird proteins[2][4]. Its allergenic mechanisms are closely associated with MAPK signaling pathways, impacting immune responses in sensitized patients[1][3]. Diagnostic assays measure IgE reactivity to Gal d 5 as a biomarker for confirming allergy to the protein. There are no drugs targeting Gal d 5 directly, as it is not therapeutically targeted but rather important as an environmental or dietary allergen.

Other names

Chicken albuminalpha-livetinserum albuminGallus domesticus albumin