Four IgE-binding epitopes have been characterized that cover a large area (>= 40%) of the molecular surface of lipid transfer protein allergens of Rosaceae (apple, peach, apricot, and plum). They mainly correspond to electropositively charged regions protruding on the molecular surface of the modeled apple (Mal d 3), apricot (Pru ar 3), and plum (Pru d 3) allergens. Two of these epitopes consist of consensus epitopes structurally conserved among the lipid transfer protein allergens from the Rosaceae. Their occurrence in different lipid transfer protein allergens presumably accounts for the IgE-binding cross-reactivity often observed among different Rosaceae fruits. In this respect, LTP consist of phylogenctically- and structurally-related pan allergens. However, the IgE-binding cross-reactivity due to fruit lipid transfer protein has varying degrees of clinical relevance and this cross-reactivity is not necessarily accompanied by a cross-allergenicity to the corresponding fruits. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.