Structure and function of proteins involved in milk allergies

Allergy to milk proteins has been defined as any adverse reaction mediated by immunological mechanisms to one or several of proteins found in milk. The milk allergy has been classified according to the onset of symptoms as immediate or delayed type. The milk allergy seems to be manifested by three major proteins found in milk: alpha -lactalbumin, beta -lactoglobulin and caseins. The structural comparison of allergenic sites in alpha -lactalbumin and beta -lactoglobulin with the structure of lactoferrin has clearly shown that yet another major milk protein lactoferrin also possesses allergenic sites and thus may qualify to be an allergen. The heat treatment of milk proteins considerably reduces their allergenicity. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.