Changes in the surface ofDipetalonema viteae(Filarioidea) during its development as shown by comparative peptide mapping

Abstract

The cuticle of parasitic nematodes, the main contact site with the host, plays an important role in host-parasite interaction and thus also in immunological control. We compared different surface-iodinated life-stages of the filarial wormDipetalonema viteae(microfilariae, infective 3rd-stage larvae (L₃), adult males and females) with respect to changes in their surface composition. Autoradiographs of peptide maps show that all stages present an identical set of peptide spots reflecting common surface protein(s). Spots specific for larvae L₃show that the composition of the iodinated surface differs in microfilariae and adults i.e. it changes during development. Adults show a spot typical for males or females. Identical spots are found in L₃. This suggests that a surface component is also sex specific.