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Ascaris suum: stage-specific differences in lectin binding to the larval cuticle
D E Hill1, R H Fetterer, J F Urban
1U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, Maryland 20705.
Experimental Parasitology
|October 11, 1991
Summary
A novel glycosylated component appears on Ascaris suum larvae during development. This component, identified by its binding to specific lectins, is present on later larval stages but not early ones.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The surface molecules of parasitic nematodes like Ascaris suum are crucial for their survival and infectivity.
- Understanding developmental changes in surface glycoproteins can reveal insights into parasite-host interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize novel glycosylated components on the surface of developing Ascaris suum larvae.
- To determine the temporal expression of these components during larval development.
Main Methods:
- Detection of glycosylated components using lectin binding assays.
- Specific lectins used include Wheat Germ Agglutinin (WGA), Poke Weed Mitogen (PWM), Concanavalin A (ConA), and Dolichos biflorus lectin (DBL).
- Analysis of larvae at various developmental stages (in vitro and in vivo).
Main Results:
- A glycosylated component binding to WGA and PWM was detected on late second-stage, all third-stage, and all fourth-stage Ascaris suum larvae.
- This component was absent on newly hatched first-stage larvae and early third-stage larvae.
- The component showed no affinity for ConA or DBL, indicating specific sugar residue binding (n-acetyl-D-glucosamine).
- Similar components were previously found on adult A. suum cuticle.
Conclusions:
- A specific n-acetyl-D-glucosamine-containing glycosylated component is temporally expressed on the surface of Ascaris suum during larval development.
- This developmental expression suggests a potential role in larval stage transition or host interaction.