Thaumetopoein is a urticating protein found in the hairs and integument of the caterpillars of the pine processionary (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) and oak processionary (Thaumetopoea processionea).[1]
It was first identified in 1986 by a group of French scientists at the University of Bordeaux. Attempting to understand the mechanisms responsible for the strong cutaneous reactions provoked when in contact with the caterpillar, the researchers extracted the proteins from the caterpillars' setae.[2] They subsequently isolated thaumetopoein, a small protein formed of two subunits of approximately 13,000 and 15,000 daltons.[3]
Little substantial research has been conducted since the protein's identification. In 2003, Spanish researches analyzed the protein and were able to isolate and identified a major constituent allergen with a molecular weight around 15,000 daltons, which they named Tha p1.[4] In 2012, a separate group of researchers identified a second component, Tha p2.[5]
References
edit- ^ Lamy, M.; Novak, F.; Duboscq, M. F.; Ducombs, G.; Maleville, J. (1988). "[The oak processionary caterpillar (Thaumetopoea processiona L.) and man: urticating apparatus and mechanism of action]". Annales de Dermatologie et de Vénéréologie. 115 (10): 1023–1032. ISSN 0151-9638. PMID 3069025. Archived from the original on 2022-03-26. Retrieved 2022-03-26.
- ^ Lamy, M.; Vincendeau, P.; Ducombs, G.; Pastureaud, M. H. (1983-03-15). "Irritating substance extracted from the Thaumetopoea pityocampa caterpillar; mechanism of action". Experientia. 39 (3): 299. doi:10.1007/BF01955314. ISSN 0014-4754. PMID 6825799. S2CID 6680704. Archived from the original on 2022-03-26. Retrieved 2022-03-26.
- ^ Lamy, M.; Pastureaud, M. H.; Ducombs, G. (1985). "[Thaumetopoein, an urticating protein of the processionary hairs of the caterpillar (Thaumetopoea pityocampa Schiff) (Lepidoptera, Thaumetopoeidae)]". Comptes Rendus de l'Académie des Sciences, Série III. 301 (5): 173–176. ISSN 0764-4469. PMID 3933773. Archived from the original on 2022-03-26. Retrieved 2022-03-26.
- ^ Moneo, I.; Vega, J. M.; Caballero, M. L.; Vega, J.; Alday, E. (2003). "Isolation and characterization of Tha p 1, a major allergen from the pine processionary caterpillar Thaumetopoea pityocampa". Allergy. 58 (1): 34–37. doi:10.1034/j.1398-9995.2003.23724.x. ISSN 0105-4538. PMID 12580804. S2CID 24609808.
- ^ Rodriguez-Mahillo, Ana Isabel; Gonzalez-Muñoz, Miguel; Vega, José María; López, Juan Antonio; Yart, Annie; Kerdelhué, Carole; Camafeita, Emilio; Garcia Ortiz, José Carlos; Vogel, Heiko; Petrucco Toffolo, Edoardo; Zovi, Daniel (2012-06-18). "Setae from the pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) contain several relevant allergens". Contact Dermatitis. 67 (6): 367–374. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0536.2012.02107.x. hdl:20.500.12105/7667. ISSN 0105-1873. PMID 22708991. S2CID 12808036.