© 2004 Heron Publishing—Victoria, Canada
Influences of genetic and environmental factors on the concentration of the allergen Cry j 1 in sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) pollen
Yoko Goto (1, 2), Teiji Kondo (1), Eiji Hayashi (1), Noritsugu Kuramoto (3), Makoto Takahashi (1) and Hiroshi Yasueda (4)
1. Forest Tree Breeding Center, 3809-1 Ishi, Juo, Taga, Ibaraki, 319-1301, Japan / 2. Corresponding author (gomama@affrc.go.jp) / 3. Kyushu Regional Breeding Office, Forest Tree Breeding Center, 2320-5 Suya, Nishigoshi, Kikuchi, Kumamoto, 861-1102, Japan / 4. Clinical Research Center for Allergy and Rheumatology, National Sagamihara Hospital, 18-1 Sakuradai, Sagamihara, Kanagawa,
228-8522, Japan / Received May 22, 2003; accepted September 13, 2003; published online February 2, 2004
Summary
Pollen from sugi (Japanese cedar, Cryptomeria japonica D. Don), a forest tree species that is widely grown in Japan, causes serious allergic disease. The major allergens from sugi
pollen, Cry j 1 and Cry j 2, have been isolated and characterized. It has been reported that Cry j 1 concentration in pollen
varies considerably among trees. If Cry j 1 concentration is genetically controlled, the planting of trees with low Cry j
1 concentrations would reduce pollinosis. We investigated genetic and environmental effects on Cry j 1 concentration in eight
clones growing at four sites. Concentrations of Cry j 1 in pollen were measured with a monoclonal antibody-based Enzyme Linked
Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The Cry j 1 concentrations differed significantly among clones and sites, but the site × clone
interaction was not significant, suggesting that the Cry j 1 concentration is controlled primarily by genetic factors. We
examined correlations between Cry j 1 concentration and temperature and precipitation from July through February. Temperature
was not significantly related to Cry j 1 concentration, whereas cumulative precipitation during the 8 months and mean daily
precipitation in September showed significant negative correlations with Cry j 1 concentration.
Keywords:
allergen, Japanese cedar, pollinosis, precipitation, temperature, variation.
