The major allergen in cats, Fel d 1, belongs to the secretoglobin family of proteins and is, worldwide, one of the major causes of allergic asthma, as it induces IgE responses in 90 to 95% of those allergic to cats and in 60 to 90% of total allergenic activity to cat hair. Symptoms range from mild rhinitis and conjunctivitis to life-threatening asthmatic responses. The structure of Fel d 1 displays the location of three previously defined Fel d 1 IgE epitopes on the surface of the protein.[1]
It is produced mainly by the salivary and sebaceous glands, it is also present in the perianal, lacrimal and squamous epithelial cells and is attached to the cat's hair through the habit of licking.[2]
Function
The biological function of Fel d 1 is still unknown, however it is thought to have a pheromone/chemical signaling function.
Disease
Relevance
Structural highlights
[3]
This is a sample scene created with SAT to by Group, and another to make of the protein. You can make your own scenes on SAT starting from scratch or loading and editing one of these sample scenes.
