Molecular Plant Biophysics and Biochemistry

Allergy research: Release mechanisms of pollen allergens
It is far from clear how and in particular, why certain proteins are released by the pollen grains after contact with a wet surface. Several mechanisms may be involved including diffusion from the cell wall, secretion via a secretory pathway or transport of cytoplasm-localised proteins across the plasma membrane. Especially, the release of cytosolic proteins has to have a physiological function important for pollen germination. By studying this protein release in molecular details, one may obtain a clue why certain proteins are released by pollen grains. Preliminary experiments showed that the protein release can be blocked thus reducing the amount of allergens on patients’ epithelia which in turn may reduce the allergy symptoms, too.