Effects of Glycosylation Combined with Phosphate Treatment on the Allergenicity and Structure of Tropomyosin in Litopenaeus vannamei

Abstract

Tropomyosin (TM) is the main allergen in shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). In this study, the effects of allergenicity and structure of TM by glycosylation (GOS-TM), phosphate treatment (SP-TM), and glycosylation combined with phosphate treatment (GOS-SP-TM) were investigated. Compared to GOS-TM and SP-TM, the IgG/IgE binding capacity of GOS-SP-TM was significantly decreased with 63.9 ± 2.0 and 49.7 ± 2.7%, respectively. Meanwhile, the α-helix content reduced, surface hydrophobicity increased, and 10 specific amino acids (K₃₀, K₃₈, S₃₉, K₄₈, K₆₆, K₇₄, K₁₂₈, K₁₆₁, S₂₁₀, and K₂₅₁) were modified by glycosylation on six IgE linear epitopes of GOS-SP-TM. In the BALB/c mice allergy model, GOS-SP-TM could significantly reduce the levels of specific IgE, IgG1, and CD4⁺IL-4⁺, while the levels of IgG2a, CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺, and CD4⁺IFN-γ⁺ were increased, which equilibrated Th1 and Th2 cells, thus alleviating allergic symptoms. These results indicated that glycosylation combined with phosphate treatment can provide a new insight into developing hypoallergenic shrimp food.

Keywords: Litopenaeus vannamei; allergenicity; combined processing; structure; tropomyosin.