title: Molecular characterization of the surface and cyst fluid components of Taenia crassiceps.
abstract: Information relating to the characterization of cestode surface macromolecules is limited. This is especially the case with Taenia crassiceps, a well-recognized model for the study of larval cestodiasis. Here, the protein and glycoprotein composition of the tegumental surface and cyst fluid of the metacestode have been investigated using radio-isotope labelling, immunoprecipitation, SDS-PAGE and lectin affinity chromatography. A restricted number of surface proteins was labelled with the 125I/Iodogen method although the majority were immunogenic; in contrast an array of cyst fluid antigens were labelled. Host serum proteins, including immunoglobulins, were identified on the surface and in the cyst fluid. Some of the 125I-labelled surface proteins, including a 37 kDa molecule, have been shown to be glycoproteins and probably contain-D-mannose and/or D-glucose; there is limited or no N-acetylglucosamine and no terminal galactose present on these components. A 37 kDa surface molecule, possibly the same glycoprotein, was also precipitated by infection sera and this may endorse the theory that highly immunogenic carbohydrates are continuously shed by T. crassiceps as a mechanism for diverting the immune response of the host. Radio-iodinated and biosynthetically labelled T. crassiceps antigens were highly cross-reactive with antibody raised to other cestodes and not one antigen was identified as a possible candidate for use in specific immunodiagnosis of any of the important taeniid infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pure and Applied Biology, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, U.K.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lamsam
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: McManus
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000032:analysis*; D001345:Autoradiography; D002846:Chromatography, Affinity; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D011233:Precipitin Tests; D013621:Taenia / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D015801:Helminth Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins