Isoelectric Focusing of Soluble Proteins in the Characterization of Species and Isolates of Nematodirus (Nematoda: Trichostrongyloidea)

Authors

Lora G. Rickard, Mississippi State University
Eric P. Hoberg, Animal Parasitic Disease Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of AgricultureFollow
Donna M. Mulrooney, Oregon State University
Gary L. Zimmerman, Zimmerman Research

Date of this Version

1997

Citation

Journal of Parasitology (1997) 83(5): 895-901.

Comments

U.S. government work.

Abstract

Isoelectric focusing was performed on extracts from Nematodirus spathiger, Nematodirus filicollis, Nematodirus helvetianus, and three geographic isolates of Nematodirus battus. Gender-specific differences were noted within species; however, the overall protein profile of each species and isolate was distinct and reproducible and allowed unequivocal differentiation. A coefficient of similarity (Sm) for males of each species and isolate was calculated, and a dendrogram, based on evaluation of Sm by the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic means, was produced. Although cluster analysis of the three isolates of N. battus indicates the North American and Weybridge isolates are similar, interpretation of the relationships and thus the history of introduction based on these data is equivocal. Isoelectric focusing is a robust method for establishing identity and has great utility in diagnostics. However, in the absence of selective histochemical staining, interpretation of identity and homology for specific bands and banding patterns is problematic, thus limiting the utility of this method for phylogenetic inference.