ANALYSIS OF 2-DIMENSIONAL PROTEIN-PATTERNS FROM DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES OF THE POTATO CYST-NEMATODE, GLOBODERA-ROSTOCHIENSIS

Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to examine the differences in total protein composition between two motile stages and two sedentary stages of the potato cyst-nematode, Globodera rostochiensis. Using a sensitive silver stain, 542 reproducible protein spots were distinguished. A list of these spots is presented, showing their apparent molecular weights, estimated isoelectric points, and occurrences in the different developmental stages. When the protein patterns were compared, 401 spots were found to change their presence or size in one or more of the four developmental stages. It is therefore estimated that during the post-embryonic development of G. rostochiensis, 74 % of the polypeptides undergo modulation of their synthesis, or are affected by protein degradation or modification. In the motile stages several abundant proteins were present, which disappeared or decreased in concentration in the sedentary stages. Some of these proteins are presumably muscle proteins, and their modulation may illustrate the degeneration of body-wall musculature in the sedentary stages. It is concluded that the potato cyst-nematode has a very dynamic protein metabolism.