title: Electrophoretic and immunologic characterization of proteins of merozoites of Eimeria acervulina, E. maxima, E. necatrix, and E. tenella.
abstract: Merozoites of Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria maxima, Eimeria necatrix, and Eimeria tenella were compared by gel electrophoresis, western-blotting with chicken antiserum, indirect fluorescent antibody reactions, and antiserum neutralization. Merozoites from the 4 species had dissimilar patterns of proteins and antigens in soluble and membrane fractions. Coomassie blue staining of SDS-PAGE gels revealed 16-22 protein bands depending on the species of merozoite but only 3 bands per species in the membrane fractions. Homologous and heterologous antisera recognized 5-12 soluble fraction bands and 3-7 membrane fraction bands on immunoperoxidase-stained western blots, depending on the species. When antisera from infected chickens were used in an indirect fluorescent antibody reaction, the merozoites of E. tenella and E. necatrix had a strong reaction with homologous and heterologous antisera. Merozoites of E. acervulina and E. maxima reacted with homologous antisera but had a weak or no reaction with heterologous antisera. Chicken antiserum against E. tenella had no effect on the viability of E. tenella merozoites when they were inoculated into chicken embryos.
authors.affiliation: Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens 30602.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: McDougald
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004539:Eimeria / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D015800:Protozoan Proteins