Homology modeling and epitope prediction of Der f 33

Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f), one of the main species of house dust mites, produces more than 30 allergens. A recently identified allergen belonging to the alpha-tubulin protein family, Der f 33, has not been characterized in detail. In this study, we used bioinformatics tools to construct the secondary and tertiary structures and predict the B and T cell epitopes of Der f 33. First, protein attribution, protein patterns, and physicochemical properties were predicted. Then, a reasonable tertiary structure was constructed by homology modeling. In addition, six B cell epitopes (amino acid positions 34–45, 63–67, 103–108, 224–230, 308–316, and 365–377) and four T cell epitopes (positions 178–186, 241–249, 335–343, and 402–410) were predicted. These results established a theoretical basis for further studies and eventual epitope-based vaccine design against Der f 33.

粉尘螨（Dermatophagoides farinae，Der f）作为屋尘螨的主要物种之一，可产生三十余种变应原。近期鉴定得到的隶属于α-微管蛋白（alpha-tubulin）家族的变应原Der f 33，尚未得到详细表征。本研究借助生物信息学工具构建了Der f 33的二级与三级结构，并预测了其B细胞和T细胞表位：首先对该蛋白的属性、蛋白特征及理化性质进行了预测；随后通过同源建模法构建了合理的三级结构。此外，本研究共预测得到6个B细胞表位（氨基酸位点34–45、63–67、103–108、224–230、308–316及365–377）与4个T细胞表位（位点178–186、241–249、335–343及402–410）。上述研究结果为后续针对Der f 33的相关研究以及基于表位的变应原疫苗研发奠定了理论基础。