The amazing and harmful enzyme from mites – Der p1
Der p1 is considered a major allergen because of the large number of people sensitive to it, or ‘specifically’ allergic to its harmful content. Der p1 is an active digestive enzyme that can cause cell death in the lungs by ‘melting’ the glue like substance that binds cells together. The cell’s death in turn gives Der p1 access to the body and blood stream. This invasion is how traces of the mite’s major allergen have been found in the amniotic fluid surrounding unborn children.
Der p1 has been likened to the meat tenderizers used in the food industry. The mite makes Der p1 in its gut and then places the enzyme in its dropping in order to breakdown hard-to-digest food for a later dinner. Mites consider their droppings as a future food parcel thanks to this and other enzymes found in their droppings. They can tell when a ‘poo’ is food because they have an exquisite sense of smell that can detect nourishment.
Hardcore information. Der p1 is a glycoprotein with sequence homology and thiol protease function similar to the enzymes papain, actinidin, bromelain and cathepsins B and H.
1. Papain is a cysteine protease enzyme present in papaya (Carica papaya) and mountain papaya (Vasconcellea cundinamarcensis). Its job is to break down tough meat fibres and has been used for this purpose for thousands of years in its native South America.
2. Actinidin is a type of cysteine protease enzyme found in fruits including kiwi fruit, pineapple, mango, and papaya.
3. Bromelain, derived from the pineapple plant, is one of a group of proteolytic enzymes (enzymes capable of digesting protein).
4. Cathepsins B and H (to be further described)
Similar pages
- 1988 – Early DNA analysis identifies the major mite allergen (Der p1) as an active enzyme
- What other ‘events’ make mites more harmful
Allergens and Allergen Immunotherapy; Fourth Edition, 2008, Chapter 10, Mite Allergens, Enrique Fernandez-Caldas, Leonardo Puerta, Luis Caraballo, Richard F Lockey, Publisher Taylor & Francis. ‘Clin. Allergy Immunol. 2008; 21: 161-182
‘Detection of House Dust Mite allergen in amniotic fluid and umbilical-cord blood’; Holloway J A et al, The Lancet, 2000, Issue 9245, 1900-1902.
There are millions of mite species on earth but the ones that may live in your home are referred to as domestic mites! Don't sleep with mites
