The Toxicological Intersection between Allergen and Toxin: A Structural Comparison of the Cat Dander Allergenic Protein Fel d1 and the Slow Loris Brachial Gland Secretion Protein
Holger Scheib,
K. Anne-Isola Nekaris,
Johanna Rode-Margono,
Lotten Ragnarsson,
Kate Baumann,
James S. Dobson,
Wirdateti Wirdateti,
Amanda Nouwens,
Vincent Nijman,
Paolo Martelli,
Rui Ma,
Richard J. Lewis,
Hang Fai Kwok,
Bryan Grieg Fry
Affiliations
Holger Scheib
Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia
K. Anne-Isola Nekaris
Nocturnal Primate Research Group, Department of Social Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK
Johanna Rode-Margono
Nocturnal Primate Research Group, Department of Social Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK
Lotten Ragnarsson
Institute for Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia QLD 4072, Australia
Kate Baumann
Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia
James S. Dobson
Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia
Wirdateti Wirdateti
Research Center for Biology-LIPI, Jakarta-Bogor, Cibinong 16911, Indonesia
Amanda Nouwens
School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia
Vincent Nijman
Nocturnal Primate Research Group, Department of Social Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK
Paolo Martelli
Veterinary Department, Ocean Park, Hong Kong
Rui Ma
Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR
Richard J. Lewis
Institute for Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia QLD 4072, Australia
Hang Fai Kwok
Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR
Bryan Grieg Fry
Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia
Slow lorises are enigmatic animal that represent the only venomous primate lineage. Their defensive secretions have received little attention. In this study we determined the full length sequence of the protein secreted by their unique brachial glands. The full length sequences displayed homology to the main allergenic protein present in cat dander. We thus compared the molecular features of the slow loris brachial gland protein and the cat dander allergen protein, showing remarkable similarities between them. Thus we postulate that allergenic proteins play a role in the slow loris defensive arsenal. These results shed light on these neglected, novel animals.
