Polygalacturonase (Pla a 2) (Pla a 2)

Pla a 2 is a major allergen derived from the pollen of the London plane tree (Platanus acerifolia), a common ornamental tree in urban environments. Biologically, it functions as a polygalacturonase, an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of alpha-1,4-D-galactosiduronic linkages in pectin, facilitating pollen tube growth through the plant cell wall (UniProt P84529). In clinical medicine, Pla a 2 is a significant trigger for seasonal allergic rhinitis and asthma, particularly in Mediterranean regions where the tree is abundant (WHO/IUIS Allergen Nomenclature). The protein is a glycoprotein that exhibits high IgE-binding frequency in sensitized patients, often exceeding 80% in specific populations (Alquézar et al., 2009). Therapeutic intervention primarily involves allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT), which utilizes standardized pollen extracts to desensitize the patient's immune system. Research into recombinant Pla a 2 aims to improve the precision and safety of these treatments by providing a well-defined molecular target for diagnosis and therapy (Pazouki et al., 2015).

Other names

Platanus acerifolia allergen 2London plane tree pollen allergen 2PectinasePG

Induction of immune tolerance through allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT), shifting the immune response from a Th2-dominated profile to a Treg/Th1-mediated profile and increasing protective IgG4 antibodies (StatPearls: Allergy Immunotherapy).