Plant Defense System Activated in Chili Plants by Using Extracts from Eucalyptus citriodora.

Capsicum annuum L. is infected by Fusarium Wilt and causes significant yield losses in Pakistan. Biological control is an excellent and environment friendly way. Presently, the biocontrol assays were conducted in pot trials using methanolic leaf extract of Eucalyptus citriodora L. where spray of extract prior to infection provided better protection from pathogen with maximum disease control. Further, Native page electrophoresis was performed to find out difference in expression profile of enzyme which revealed that control and T2 (Plant sprayed with Eucalyptus extract) did not exhibit any difference in their isozyme profile signifying no extra load of biological control measure on plant for the production of defense elements until the pathogen arrived. While in case of T3 （Protective treatment） and T4 (Curative treatment) extra isozyme (PO1) was observed in T4 only, PPO1 and PPO5, and PAL 2 and PAL 3 were comprised in higher quantities in T3 and T4 over control exposing the expression of plant metabolism under pathogen attack. The study concludes that the organic extract of E. citriodora have the potential to restrain the disastrous effects of pathogenic fungi. It will lead to the different aspect of biocontrol to suppress the plant pathogenic fungi in a broad spectrum.

Genome-Enabled Phylogeographic Investigation of the Quarantine Pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum Race 3 Biovar 2 and Screening for Sources of Resistance Against Its Core Effectors.

Phylogeographic studies inform about routes of pathogen dissemination and are instrumental for improving import/export controls. Genomes of 17 isolates of the bacterial wilt and potato brown rot pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2 (R3bv2), a Select Agent in the United States, were thus analyzed to get insight into the phylogeography of this pathogen. Thirteen of fourteen isolates from Europe, Africa, and Asia were found to belong to a single clonal lineage while isolates from South America were genetically diverse and tended to carry ancestral alleles at the analyzed genomic loci consistent with a South American origin of R3bv2. The R3bv2 isolates share a core repertoire of 31 type III-secreted effector genes representing excellent candidates to be targeted with resistance genes in breeding programs to develop durable disease resistance. Toward this goal, 27 R3bv2 effectors were tested in eggplant, tomato, pepper, tobacco, and lettuce for induction of a hypersensitive-like response indicative of recognition by cognate resistance receptors. Fifteen effectors, eight of them core effectors, triggered a response in one or more plant species. These genotypes may harbor resistance genes that could be identified and mapped, cloned, and expressed in tomato or potato, for which sources of genetic resistance to R3bv2 are extremely limited.

Trypsin inhibitors from Capsicum baccatum var. pendulum leaves involved in Pepper yellow mosaic virus resistance.

Several plant organs contain proteinase inhibitors, which are produced during normal plant development or are induced upon pathogen attack to suppress the enzymatic activity of phytopathogenic microorganisms. In this study, we examined the presence of proteinase inhibitors, specifically trypsin inhibitors, in the leaf extract of Capsicum baccatum var. pendulum inoculated with PepYMV (Pepper yellow mosaic virus). Leaf extract from plants with the accession number UENF 1624, which is resistant to PepYMV, was collected at 7 different times (0, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, and 144 h). Seedlings inoculated with PepYMV and control seedlings were grown in a growth chamber. Protein extract from leaf samples was partially purified by reversed-phase chromatography using a C2/C18 column. Residual trypsin activity was assayed to detect inhibitors followed by Tricine-SDS-PAGE analysis to determine the N-terminal peptide sequence. Based on trypsin inhibitor assays, trypsin inhibitors are likely constitutively synthesized in C. baccatum var. pendulum leaf tissue. These inhibitors are likely a defense mechanism for the C. baccatum var. pendulum- PepYMV pathosystem.

Pepper mildew resistance locus O interacts with pepper calmodulin and suppresses Xanthomonas AvrBsT-triggered cell death and defense responses.

MAIN CONCLUSION: Pepper CaMLO2 specifically interacts with CaCaM1 and translocates cytoplasmic CaCaM1 to the plasma membrane, leading to the suppression of Xanthomonas AvrBsT-triggered Ca (2+) influx, hypersensitive cell death and defense responses. Pathogen-induced cell death is closely linked with disease susceptibility and resistance in plants. Pepper (Capsicum annuum) mildew resistance locus O (CaMLO2) and calmodulin (CaCaM1) genes are required for disease-associated cell death and hypersensitive cell death, respectively. Here, we demonstrate that pathogen-responsive CaMLO2 interacts with CaCaM1 in yeast and in planta. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation and co-immunoprecipitation analyses confirm a specific interaction between CaMLO2 and CaCaM1 at the plasma membrane (PM) in plant cells. Subcellular localization analyses of CaCaM1 fused to green fluorescent protein reveals that treatment with Ca(2+) and co-expression with CaMLO2 induce translocation of cytosolic CaCaM1 to the PM where CaMLO2 is localized. Transient CaMLO2 expression negatively regulates CaCaM1 accumulation in Nicotiana benthamiana. Xanthomonas avrBsT-triggered Ca(2+) influx and hypersensitive cell death are disrupted by CaCaM1 and/or CaMLO2 expression. CaMLO2 silencing in pepper significantly enhances reactive oxygen species burst, cell death, and resistance responses to Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria Ds1 and Ds1 (avrBsT), which is accompanied by enhanced induction of CaCaM1, CaPR1 (PR-1), and CaPO2 (peroxidase). These results suggest that CaMLO2 interacts with CaCaM1 and suppresses AvrBsT-triggered cell death and defense responses.

In silico analyses of structural and allergenicity features of sapodilla (Manilkara zapota) acidic thaumatin-like protein in comparison with allergenic plant TLPs.

Thaumatin-like proteins (TLPs) belong to the pathogenesis-related family (PR-5) of plant defense proteins. TLPs from only 32 plant genera have been identified as pollen or food allergens. IgE epitopes on allergens play a central role in food allergy by initiating cross-linking of specific IgE on basophils/mast cells. A comparative analysis of pollen- and food-allergenic TLPs is lacking. The main objective of this investigation was to study the structural and allergenicity features of sapodilla (Manilkara zapota) acidic TLP (TLP 1) by in silico methods. The allergenicity prediction of composite sequence of sapodilla TLP 1 (NCBI B3EWX8.1, G5DC91.1) was performed using FARRP, Allermatch and Evaller web tools. A homology model of the protein was generated using banana TLP template (1Z3Q) by HHPRED-MODELLER. B-cell linear epitope prediction was performed using BCpreds and BepiPred. Sapodilla TLP 1 matched significantly with allergenic TLPs from olive, kiwi, bell pepper and banana. IgE epitope prediction as performed using AlgPred indicated the presence of 2 epitopes (epitope 1: residues 36-48; epitope 2: residues 51-63), and a comprehensive analysis of all allergenic TLPs displayed up to 3 additional epitopes on other TLPs. It can be inferred from these analyses that plant allergenic TLPs generally carry 2-3 IgE epitopes. ClustalX alignments of allergenic TLPs indicate that IgE epitopes 1 and 2 are common in food allergenic TLPs, and IgE epitopes 2 and 3 are common in pollen allergenic TLPs; IgE epitope 2 overlaps with a portion of the thaumatin family signature. The secondary structural elements of TLPs vary markedly in regions 1 and 2 which harbor all the predicted IgE epitopes in all food and pollen TLPs in either of the region. Further, based on the number of IgE epitopes, food TLPs are grouped into rosid and non-rosid clades. The number and distribution of the predicted IgE epitopes among the allergenic TLPs may explain the specificity of food or pollen allergy as well as the varied degree of cross-reactivity among plant foods and/or pollens.

The pepper extracellular xyloglucan-specific endo-ß-1,4-glucanase inhibitor protein gene, CaXEGIP1, is required for plant cell death and defense responses.

Plants produce various proteinaceous inhibitors to protect themselves against microbial pathogen attack. A xyloglucan-specific endo-ß-1,4-glucanase inhibitor1 gene, CaXEGIP1, was isolated and functionally characterized in pepper (Capsicum annuum) plants. CaXEGIP1 was rapidly and strongly induced in pepper leaves infected with avirulent Xanthomonas campestris pv vesicatoria, and purified CaXEGIP1 protein significantly inhibited the hydrolytic activity of the glycoside hydrolase74 family xyloglucan-specific endo-ß-1,4-glucanase from Clostridium thermocellum. Soluble-modified green fluorescent protein-tagged CaXEGIP1 proteins were mainly localized to the apoplast of onion (Allium cepa) epidermal cells. Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated overexpression of CaXEGIP1 triggered pathogen-independent, spontaneous cell death in pepper and Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. CaXEGIP1 silencing in pepper conferred enhanced susceptibility to virulent and avirulent X. campestris pv vesicatoria, accompanied by a compromised hypersensitive response and lowered expression of defense-related genes. Overexpression of dexamethasone:CaXEGIP1 in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) enhanced resistance to Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis infection. Comparative histochemical and proteomic analyses revealed that CaXEGIP1 overexpression induced a spontaneous cell death response and also increased the expression of some defense-related proteins in transgenic Arabidopsis leaves. This response was also accompanied by cell wall thickening and darkening. Together, these results suggest that pathogen-inducible CaXEGIP1 positively regulates cell death-mediated defense responses in plants.

CaWRKY40, a WRKY protein of pepper, plays an important role in the regulation of tolerance to heat stress and resistance to Ralstonia solanacearum infection.

WRKY proteins form a large family of plant transcription factors implicated in the modulation of numerous biological processes, such as growth, development and responses to various environmental stresses. However, the roles of the majority WRKY family members, especially in non-model plants, remain poorly understood. We identified CaWRKY40 from pepper. Transient expression in onion epidermal cells showed that CaWRKY40 can be targeted to nuclei and activates expression of a W-box-containing reporter gene. CaWRKY40 transcripts are induced in pepper by Ralstonia solanacearum and heat shock. To assess roles of CaWRKY40 in plant stress responses we performed gain- and loss-of-function experiments. Overexpression of CaWRKY40 enhanced resistance to R. solanacearum and tolerance to heat shock in tobacco. In contrast, silencing of CaWRKY40 enhanced susceptibility to R. solanacearum and impaired thermotolerance in pepper. Consistent with its role in multiple stress responses, we found CaWRKY40 transcripts to be induced by signalling mechanisms mediated by the stress hormones salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA) and ethylene (ET). Overexpression of CaWRKY40 in tobacco modified the expression of hypersensitive response (HR)-associated and pathogenesis-related genes. Collectively, our results suggest that CaWRKY40 orthologs are regulated by SA, JA and ET signalling and coordinate responses to R. solanacearum attacks and heat stress in pepper and tobacco.

Engineering virus resistance using a modified potato gene.

Natural mutations in translation initiation factor eIF4E confer resistance to potyviruses in many plant species. Potato is a staple food crop plagued by several potyviruses, yet to date no known eIF4E-mediated resistance genes have been identified. In this study, we demonstrate that transgenic expression of the pvr1(2) gene from pepper confers resistance to Potato virus Y (PVY) in potato. We then use this information to convert the susceptible potato ortholog of this allele into a de novo allele for resistance to PVY using site-directed mutagenesis. Potato plants overexpressing the mutated potato allele are resistant to virus infection. Resistant lines expressed high levels of eIF4E mRNA and protein. The resistant plants showed growth similar to untransformed controls and produced phenotypically similar tubers. This technique disrupts a key step in the viral infection process and may potentially be used to engineer virus resistance in a number of economically important plant-viral pathosystems. Furthermore, the general public may be more amenable to the 'intragenic' nature of this approach because the transferred coding region is modified from a gene in the target crop rather than from a distant species.

Work-related allergy and asthma in spice mill workers - The impact of processing dried spices on IgE reactivity patterns.

BACKGROUND: Three spice mill workers developed work-related allergy and asthma after prolonged exposure to high levels (>10 mg/m(3)) of inhalable spice dust. Patterns of sensitization to a variety of spices and putative allergens were identified. METHODS: Work-related allergy and asthma were assessed on history, clinical evaluation, pulmonary function and fractional exhaled nitric oxide. Specific IgE reactivity to a range of common inhalant, food and spice allergens was evaluated using ImmunoCAP and allergen microarray. The presence of non-IgE-mediated reactions was determined by basophil stimulation (CAST-ELISA). Specific allergens were identified by immunoblotting to extracts of raw and dried processed garlic, onion and chili pepper. RESULTS: Asthma was confirmed in all 3 subjects, with work-related patterns prominent in worker 1 and 3. Sensitization to multiple spices and pollen was observed in both atopic workers 1 and 2, whereas garlic and chili pepper sensitization featured in all 3 workers. Microarray analysis demonstrated prominent profilin reactivity in atopic worker 2. Immunoblotting demonstrated a 50-kDa cross-reactive allergen in garlic and onion, and allergens of approximately 40 and 52 kDa in chili pepper. Dry powdered garlic and onion demonstrated greater IgE binding. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated IgE reactivity to multiple spice allergens in workers exposed to high levels of inhalable spice dust. Processed garlic and onion powder demonstrated stronger IgE reactivity than the raw plant. Atopy and polysensitization to various plant profilins, suggesting pollen-food syndrome, represent additional risk factors for sensitizer-induced work-related asthma in spice mill workers.

Ectopic expression of a recessive resistance gene generates dominant potyvirus resistance in plants.

Despite long-standing plant breeding investments and early successes in genetic engineering, plant viral pathogens still cause major losses in agriculture worldwide.Early transgenic approaches involved the expression of pathogen-derived sequences that provided limited protection against relatively narrow ranges of viral pathotypes. In contrast,this study demonstrates that the ectopic expression of pvr1, a recessive gene from Capsicum chinense, results in dominant broad-spectrum potyvirus resistance in transgenic tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum). The pvr1 locus in pepper encodes the eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF4E. Naturally occurring point mutations at this locus result in monogenic recessive broad-spectrum potyvirus resistance that has been globally deployed via plant breeding programmes for more than 50 years. Transgenic tomato progenies that over-expressed the Capsicum pvr1 allele showed dominant resistance to several tobacco etch virus strains and other potyviruses, including pepper mottle virus, a range of protection similar to that observed in pepper homozygous for the pvr1 allele.

Honeybee interference as a novel aid to reduce pollen exposure and nasal symptoms among greenhouse workers allergic to sweet bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) pollen.

BACKGROUND: In 1999, an extensive study among bell pepper growers showed a prevalence of 53.8% work-related symptoms and 35.4% sensitisation to bell pepper pollen. Experiments with bees to remove pollen from bell pepper flowers have been done for a few years. OBJECTIVES: It was the aim of this study to investigate whether bees can reduce the pollen exposure in bell pepper greenhouses and whether this reduction results in a decrease in allergic complaints in the greenhouse workers. METHODS: Eighteen greenhouses were selected for the study. In each greenhouse, pollen exposure was estimated. In 6 and 3 of the greenhouses, high, respectively low, numbers of honeybees were placed throughout the pollen season of the sweet bell pepper plant. Nine greenhouses without honeybees were used as control. At baseline, as well as after 4 and 8 months, nasal symptoms assessed with a visual analogue score and lung function parameters were used as outcome measure. RESULTS: Forty-four of the 133 employees invited reported work-related symptoms. High numbers of bees reduced the pollen amount in a dose-dependent way to 18% of the baseline exposure. A significant trend relationship between the visual analogue scale in nasal symptoms and the number of colonies of bees was seen. CONCLUSIONS: The interference of bees in bell pepper greenhouses significantly reduces the pollen amount. This reduction is associated with less work-related rhinitis symptoms in allergic greenhouse workers. This intervention study supports the hypothesis that allergic work-related complaints of greenhouse workers, sensitised to bell pepper pollen, are caused by occupational exposure to this pollen in the greenhouse.

Ovipositional deterrent in the sweet pepper, Capsicum annuum, at the mature stage against Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess).

Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess), the American serpentine leafminer fly, is well known as a serious pest throughout the world. This insect attack over 21 different plant families including solanaceae plants. The mature sweet pepper, Capsicum annuum (Solanaceae), however, shows resistance to this leafminer fly. This resistance is based on the ovipositional deterrent in the sweet pepper leaf against the fly species. Based on bioassay-guided fractionation, luteolin 7-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside was isolated and identified as the ovipositional deterrent against this insect species. This compound completely deterred L. trifolii females from laying their eggs on a host plant leaf treated at 4.90 microg/cm2.

Immunoblot and radioallergosorbent test inhibition studies of allergenic cross-reactivity of the predatory mite Amblyseius cucumeris with the house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus.

BACKGROUND: In 1999, an extensive study among bell pepper growers showed that a predatory mite, Amblyseius cucumeris, is a potentially relevant source of occupational allergens because 23% of the population had positive skin prick test reactions. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether cross-reactivity between A. cucumeris and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus is responsible for the cosensitization to both mite species found in 58.7% of A. cucumeris-sensitized greenhouse workers. METHODS: Fifteen serum samples from greenhouse workers with work-related inhalant allergy and a positive radioallergosorbent test (RAST) reaction to A. cucumeris or D. pteronyssinus were selected for immunoblot analysis using extracts of both mites. A subselection (n = 5) was used for RAST and immunoblot inhibition to investigate potential cross-reactivity. RESULTS: On immunoblot, 2 distinct patterns were observed: one pattern showed common protein bands in A. cucumeris and D. pteronyssinus blots suggestive of cross-reactivity between A. cucumeris and D. pteronyssinus and the other pattern showed no shared protein bands. Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus RAST inhibition with A. cucumeris extract was low in 4 serum samples (<25% inhibition) and nearly absent in 1 serum sample; A. cucumeris RAST inhibition with D. pteronyssinus extract was high in 1 serum sample (75% inhibition), low in 2 serum samples (35% and <15% inhibition), and absent in 2 serum samples. These results were confirmed by immunoblot inhibition experiments. CONCLUSIONS: Amblyseius cucumeris, a new occupational allergen, has species-specific antigens and common antigens that are cross-reactive with the house dust mite D. pteronyssinus.

Primary sensitization to sweet bell pepper pollen in greenhouse workers with occupational allergy.

BACKGROUND: In a previous investigation, a high prevalence of allergy to sweet bell pepper pollen was found among exposed horticulture workers. Allergy to plant-derived food is often the consequence of primary sensitization to common pollen allergens. OBJECTIVE: We therefore investigated the cross-reactivity between sweet bell pepper pollen and pollen from grass, birch or mugwort. METHOD: We selected 10 sera from greenhouse workers who had, besides specific IgE against sweet bell pepper pollen, also IgE to grass, birch or mugwort pollen. Cross-reactivity was tested by the inhibition of IgE binding to solid-phase coupled sweet bell pepper pollen extract. The 10 sera were also analysed for IgE binding to sweet bell pepper pollen by immunoblotting. RESULTS: With these sera, no or small inhibition of IgE binding to sweet bell pepper pollen extract was observed with grass, birch and mugwort pollen. With immunoblotting, major IgE-binding structures were seen at 14, 29 and 69 kDa in sweet bell pepper pollen extract. CONCLUSION: The results of our study demonstrate that sweet bell pepper pollen contains allergens that have no or limited cross-reactivity with common pollen allergens. With sera from the 10 patients tested, sensitization to sweet bell pepper pollen was not the consequence of primary sensitization to common pollen allergens.

Immunoblot analysis of IgE-binding antigens in paprika and tomato pollen.

BACKGROUND: The high incidence of occupational allergy in horticulture has only recently been recognized. We determined IgE against pollen and fruit from paprika and tomato plants in sera from 3 greenhouse workers and in 3 sera from food-allergic patients. METHODS: Proteins in extracts of paprika and tomato pollen were incubated with patients' sera after covalent coupling of these proteins to agarose beads, or in immunoblots. RESULTS: IgE against paprika pollen, but no IgE against tomato pollen, was found in serum from 2 greenhouse workers who worked with paprika plants only. IgE binding of these 2 sera to agarose-bound paprika pollen extract could be inhibited by paprika pollen but not by tomato pollen extract. A greenhouse worker, who cultivated tomato plants, had IgE against both tomato and paprika pollen. IgE binding of this serum to agarose-bound paprika pollen extract could be inhibited by both paprika pollen and tomato pollen extract. Three food-allergic patients also had IgE against tomato and paprika pollen. IgE from 2 food-allergic patients recognized IgE-binding structures in paprika or tomato pollen that were also present in fruit from the corresponding plant. In contrast, no substantial cross-reactivity was observed between paprika pollen and fruit towards IgE from 3 greenhouse workers. In 4 of 5 sera that were positive in the paprika pollen immunoblot major IgE binding to allergens of about 30 and 64 kD occurred. CONCLUSION: The presence of IgE against paprika or tomato pollen is not restricted to workers in horticulture; IgE against these pollen can also be present in food-allergic patients who have serum IgE against paprika and/or tomato fruit.

Characterization of allergens in plant-derived spices: Apiaceae spices, pepper (Piperaceae), and paprika (bell peppers, Solanaceae).

Allergens in spices from the botanic families Apiaceae, Piperaceae, and Solanaceae were characterized. IgE-immunoblotting and IgE-inhibition experiments revealed broad cross-reactivity among spices and to pollen-derived proteins. Moreover, monoclonal antibodies raised against cross-reactive pollen allergens (profilin, Bet v 1) detected homologous proteins in almost every spice source analyzed. It can be concluded that allergy to spices rarely represents an autonomous sensitization, but is rather a consequence of pollen allergy on the basis of immunologic cross-reactivity.

Bell peppers (Capsicum annuum) express allergens (profilin, pathogenesis-related protein P23 and Bet v 1) depending on the horticultural strain.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the role of bell peppers in food allergy. We collected sera from 11 patients with food allergy to bell peppers to analyze bell pepper extracts for allergen composition. METHODS: Proteins of mature fruits of eight horticultural strains of bell peppers were extracted and tested with patients' sera for IgE binding and with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies in immunoblot. RESULTS: Profilin was detected in bell pepper extracts by an anti-celery profilin antibody. It showed high IgE binding activity in all extracts, which could be inhibited by recombinant birch pollen profilin. Anti-birch pollen monoclonal antibody BIP3, directed against birch pollen proteins between 30 and 69 kD, bound to bell pepper antigens of comparable molecular weights. A homologue of the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 was detected in four of eight horticultural strains of bell peppers, and was shown to bind IgE in 1 of the 11 patients. A 23-kD allergen of bell peppers was shown to correspond to the 23-kD major paprika allergen by IgE absorption experiments. Its N-terminal sequence showed 100% identity to P23 from tomatoes. CONCLUSION: The appearance of profilin in all and Bet v 1 in 50% of the tested horticultural strains indicates that bell peppers have to be considered potentially dangerous for Bet v 1- and profilin-sensitized patients. Moreover, in 4 of 8 horticultural strains of bell peppers a homologue of the osmotin-like protein P23 from tomatoes is responsible for substantial IgE binding. Contact with Bet v 1 and P23 homologues in bell peppers can therefore be minimized by avoidance of the respective horticultural strains.

Allergens in pepper and paprika. Immunologic investigation of the celery-birch-mugwort-spice syndrome.

Mugwort and birch pollen allergy are frequently associated with IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to celery and spices. We analyzed 22 sera from patients with the mugwort-birch-celery-spice syndrome for IgE binding to the spices pepper and paprika by immunoblotting. Immunoblot results revealed two major allergens of 28 and 60 kDa in pepper and a 23-kDa allergen together with allergens of higher molecular weight in paprika. In immunoblot-inhibition studies, crude mugwort, birch pollen, and celery extracts significantly reduced the IgE binding to pepper and paprika allergens. However, no inhibition was achieved with rBet v 1 and rBet v 2, suggesting that no homologs of these birch proteins act as allergens in pepper or paprika extracts. N-terminal sequence analysis of the 14- and 28-kDa pepper and 23-kDa paprika allergens revealed no homology to known allergens. The 28-kDa pepper allergen showed homology to a wheat germin protein, and the 23-kDa paprika allergen was identified as a homolog of a osmotin-like or pathogenesis-related protein in tomato. Therefore, we conclude that the IgE cross-reactivity in the mugwort-birch-celery-spice syndrome to the spices pepper and paprika is not caused by homologs of Bet v 1 and profilin. N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis of the main allergens in pepper and paprika indicate a relation to frequently occurring plant proteins.