What is gluten?

[jinx25]

What is 'gluten' exactly? Is it a single protein or a class of proteins? Do people lack an enzyme to hydrolyze it? Thanks.

[biohazard]

Gluten is a molecule formed by gliadin and glutelin. Normally people can process gluten without problems and it is a normal component of human nutrition.

In some people with certain human leukocyte antigens (HLA) and predisposing genetics gluten may bind on the HLA molecules and initiate an autoimmune-like response that is the source of the celiac disease.

In others, gluten may act as an allergen, causing immunoglobulin E production by B cells that binds to the surface of mast cells and is cross-linked by subsequent exposure to gluten, leading to allergic symptoms similar to other food allergies.

And finally, some people suffer from gluten-insensitivity, which is a less well-defined group of symptoms presumably caused by the gluten in food.

However, the vast majority of people have no problems with gluten in their diet.

[jinx25]

Thanks!