Bet v 1

Bet v I allergen is a family of protein allergens. Allergies are hypersensitivity reactions of the immune system to specific substances called allergens. Bet v 1 harbors a large hydrophobic pocket and is able to bind a large spectra of ligands in it like hormones and siderophores like flavenols. It belongs to the pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins, which are usually expressed upon infections and stressful conditions, implicating a role in host defense. In vitro, Bet v 1 has been shown to be immune-suppressive, when it pocket was filled by a ligand, but was able to mount a Th2-response important in allergy development, when the pocket remained empty.