Pectin methylesterases (or pectinesterases) catalyse the de-esterification of pectin, one of the main components of the plant cell wall, into pectate and methanol. In plants, pectin methylesterases play an important role in cell wall metabolism during fruit ripening. In bacterial and fungal plant pathogens, pectin methylesterases are involved in maceration and soft-rotting of plant tissue [1].
Pectin methylesterases were described as allergens in pollen and plant foods. Sal k 1 from Russian thistle (Salsola kali) pollen was shown to be a major allergen not present in pollen of the related species Chenopondium album [2]. A minor allergen from birch pollen also belongs to this family [3]. Moreover, Act d 7 is a minor allergen from kiwi fruit.
Family-defining Pfam domains (at least one of these domains is present in each family member):
| Pfam domain | Pfam clan | ||
| PF01095 | Pectinesterase | CL0268 | Pectate lyase-like beta helix |
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