Screening of IgE-Binding Epitopes of Peach Allergenic Protein Pru p 7 Based on an Immune Microarray Assay

Pru p 7 (also named Peamaclein) is a member of the gibberellin-regulated protein family, which is the latest foodborne allergenic protein identified in peach. In this paper, the prokaryotic expression and identification of Pru p 7 were performed, and the protein properties, structure, and homology were analyzed. In addition, a preliminary screening of B-cell linear epitopes of Pru p 7 was performed by the bioinformatics software prediction method, and three epitopes were identified using slot-blot immune microarray assay combined with an immune score matrix (P-1, AA16-21, AGYQER; P-2, AA40-46, TYGNKDE; P-3, AA52-59, DLKNSKGN). Moreover, the electrostatic potential of these epitopes was analyzed, and the stability after ultrahigh pressure treatment was also verified. Finally, the amino acids that play key immune roles in the epitopes were obtained by amino acid mutations. These results may contribute to the further understanding of Pru p 7 and the prevention of peach allergy.