Beta Expansin Proteins
This is a simplified description of beta expansin proteins – there are more resources available at the bottom of the page for further reading for those who are interested in knowing more.
They are mostly found in grass and food crop pollens, like wheat and rye. They are very cross-reactive.
Beta expansin proteins have high sensitisation rates compared to other allergenic proteins and are therefore considered to be major pollen panallergens. Other pollen panallergens include Bet v 1 allergens, profilin proteins and Lipid Transfer Proteins.
You can look at the cross reactivity of these plants on the Cross Reactivity Tool or you can read more about them on the dedictaed Pollen Page.
Recognising what groups of pollens may be aggravating your seasonal allergies or asthma may help in management of your symptoms. You can remove offending plants from your garden or have a better understanding of what times of the year you may suffer the most so you can be prepared with antihistamines.
What are beta expansin proteins?
Expansin proteins are a large group of plant proteins involved in maintaining the functionality of the plant cell walls. Expansins play a role in cell wall loosening and expansion. There are 4 subsets of expansins, but in terms of allergy the most interesting proteins are the beta expansins (β-expansin), sometimes also referred to as 'EXPB' .They are mostly found in grass and food crop pollens, like wheat and rye. They are very cross-reactive.
Beta expansin proteins have high sensitisation rates compared to other allergenic proteins and are therefore considered to be major pollen panallergens. Other pollen panallergens include Bet v 1 allergens, profilin proteins and Lipid Transfer Proteins.
Which pollens contain beta expansin proteins?
There are 15 pollen allergens associated with beta expansin proteins according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Allergen Index. These include various grasses, rye, rice, barley and maize.You can look at the cross reactivity of these plants on the Cross Reactivity Tool or you can read more about them on the dedictaed Pollen Page.
Are there any foods which contain beta expansin proteins?
The World Health Organization (WHO) does not recognise any beta expansin allergen identified as causing allergic reactions after consumption of food.What symptoms do they cause?
Beta expansin proteins are airway allergens, so are most commonly associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis (hayfever) and allergic asthma.What is the importance of knowing whether a reaction is to beta expansin or other allergens?
Pollen allergies are difficult to manage, especially in comparison to foods, it is much easier to avoid certain foods than it is to avoid certain pollens.Recognising what groups of pollens may be aggravating your seasonal allergies or asthma may help in management of your symptoms. You can remove offending plants from your garden or have a better understanding of what times of the year you may suffer the most so you can be prepared with antihistamines.
Websites
Articles and Journals
Sensitization patterns to Poaceae pollen indicates a hierarchy in allergens and a lead of tropical grasses, 2023
Plant Stress Scenarios Differentially Affect Expression and IgE Reactivity of Grass Group-1 Allergen (β-Expansin) in Maize and Rice Pollen, 2022
Newly defined allergens in the WHO/IUIS Allergen Nomenclature Database, 2021
Analysis of Results of Specific IgE in 100 Atopic Dermatitis Patients with the Use of Multiplex Examination ALEX2—Allergy Explorer, 2021
Beta-Expansin of Bermuda, Johnson, and Para grass pollens, is a major cross-reactive allergen for allergic rhinitis patients in subtropical climate, 2019
Expansins: roles in plant growth and potential applications in crop improvement, 2016
Grass pollen allergens globally: the contribution of subtropical grasses to burden of allergic respiratory diseases, 2014
Crystal structure and activities of EXPB1 (Zea m 1), a β-expansin and group-1 pollen allergen from maize, 2006
The expansin superfamily, 2005
Plant Stress Scenarios Differentially Affect Expression and IgE Reactivity of Grass Group-1 Allergen (β-Expansin) in Maize and Rice Pollen, 2022
Newly defined allergens in the WHO/IUIS Allergen Nomenclature Database, 2021
Analysis of Results of Specific IgE in 100 Atopic Dermatitis Patients with the Use of Multiplex Examination ALEX2—Allergy Explorer, 2021
Beta-Expansin of Bermuda, Johnson, and Para grass pollens, is a major cross-reactive allergen for allergic rhinitis patients in subtropical climate, 2019
Expansins: roles in plant growth and potential applications in crop improvement, 2016
Grass pollen allergens globally: the contribution of subtropical grasses to burden of allergic respiratory diseases, 2014
Crystal structure and activities of EXPB1 (Zea m 1), a β-expansin and group-1 pollen allergen from maize, 2006
The expansin superfamily, 2005
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