Pollen Food Syndrome (PFS), also known as Oral Allergy Syndrome, occurs when the immune system reacts to proteins in certain foods that resemble pollen allergens, causing symptoms like itching and swelling in the mouth and throat. The birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 has a structure similar to antigens found in peaches, apples, celery, cherries, carrots, and kiwis. This structural similarity can cause cross-reactivity, leading to allergic reactions when consuming these foods.

Molecule Name: Birch Bet v 1, apple Mal d 1, carrot Dau C1, celery Api g 1, cherry Pru Av 1, kiwi Act d, and peach Pru p 1

Source: Birch tree, apples, carrots, celery, cherry, kiwi, peaches

Associated Allergies: Pollen allergy, Pollen Food Syndrome

References: PDB entries 1BTV, 6Z98, 5MMU, 2BK0, 1E09, 2WQL, and 8QHH

Blue: Birch Bet v 1 ribbon & surface models (PDB 1BTV)

Purple: Apple Mal d 1 ribbon & surface models (PDB 5MMU)

Orange: Carrot Dau C1 ribbon & surface models (PDB 2WQL)

Yellow: Celery Api g 1 ribbon & surface models (PDB 2BK0)

Red: Cherry Pru Av 1 ribbon & surface models (PDB 1E09)

Green: Kiwi Act d ribbon & surface models (PDB 8QHH)

Pink: Peach Pru p 1 ribbon & surface models (PDB 6Z98)