Clinical cases of type-1 hypersensitive reaction to rice (Oryza sativa) have been reported in western countries as well as in Japan. Among rice proteins, 14-16 kD globulin proteins encoded by multiple gene family have been identified as major rice allergens. In this study, a rice cDNA library was constructed using lambda UniZap vector and screened with a rat anti-16 kD globulin protein polyclonal antibody in order to isolate Korean rice allergenic cDNA clones. Five independent cDNA clones, termed RAK1-5, were obtained after second rounds of plaque assay and immunoblot analysis. These clones encoded 13-19 kD recombinant proteins upon IPTG induction, which were identified by the polyclonal antibody in immunoblot analysis. DNA sequencing analysis showed that RAK1-4 have 99% sequence homology with RA5b, and RAK5 is closely related with RA14c. This result indicated that RA5b gene is widely distributed in our cDNA library among other possible rice allergenic genes, and more study is needed to isolate heterogeneous or novel rice allergen genes. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.
Allergens/immunology ; Allergens/genetics* ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Animal ; Antibodies/immunology ; Antibody Specificity ; Cloning, Molecular ; Cross Reactions ; DNA, Complementary ; Female ; Gene Library ; Genetic Vectors ; Immunoblotting/methods* ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Plant Proteins/immunology ; Plant Proteins/genetics* ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred Strains ; Rice/genetics* ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recently, researchers have come to believe that gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and esophageal motility disorders are the most important etiologic factors causing globus pharyngeus. On the other hand, psychological factors such as somatization or depression are regarded as relatively less important etiologic factors. In an attempt to verify this current belief, the authors performed a prospective study in patients who complained of globus sensation in the throat. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 62 adult patients with globus symptoms, 33 patients underwent 24-hour esophageal ambulatory pH-monitoring: 46 patients underwent esophageal manometry: 26 patients underwent Minnesota multiphasic personality inventory (MMPI): and 25 patients underwent Becks depression index (BDI) test. RESULTS: GER was diagnosed in 21.2% of the tested patients and non-specific esophageal motility disorder was found in 4.3%. MMPI showed abnormalities in 57.7% of the tested patients, and BDI showed a high index of depression in 96% of the tested patients. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to the current belief, GER and esophageal motility disorder should be regarded as just one of the possible etiologic factors, and psychological factors should not be ignored in the evaluation of a patient with globus pharyngeus.
Adult ; Depression ; Esophageal Motility Disorders ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Hand ; Humans ; Manometry ; MMPI ; Pharynx ; Prospective Studies ; Psychology* ; Sensation