Structure and expression of Ascaris suum collagen genes: a comparison with Caenorhabditis elegans

We are interested in the structure and organization of collagen and collagen genes in the parasitic nematode Ascaris suum and in the control of collagen gene expression in Ascaris. In this nematode, as in all others studied, collagens constitute the major component of the extracellular cuticle and ultimately we would like to correlate the expression pattern of Ascaris cuticular collagen genes with the structure of the nematode cuticle. We would also like to see if there is any correlation between differential collagen gene expression and the biology and life-cycle of the parasite. In addition, we are also interested in comparing our data with the more extensive data available on collagen genes in the free living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.