Changes in expression of BetV1 allergen of silver birch pollen in urbanized area of Ukraine

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determinate the level of expression of silver birch allergen Betv1 in pollen samples from different Ukraine areas by RT-qPCR SYBR Green assay. Protocol for quantifying the expression of Betv1 allergen was developed when testing of three housekeeping genes—cyclophylin, alpha-tubulin and transcription factor CBF1. Samples from urbanized area was analysed by real-time PCR when a sample from forest growth conditions was used as a calibrator. Real-time PCR based quantifying of Betv1 provides a useful method for rapid and sensitive analyses of this silver birch allergen. Our results show higher expression levels in samples from central parts of urbanized area as housing estates when compared to the samples from borders of the urbanized area.

Keywords:

• Quantitation real-time PCR
• Betv1 allergen
• Betula pendula Roth

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the projects KEGA 001SPU/4-2012 and APVV-0231-11, and scientific instruments were obtained thanks to ECOVA and ECOVA+ projects.