Acanthocheilonema viteae: stage-specific expression of G-protein alpha-subunits.

We have previously demonstrated by Western blot analysis that the adult stage of the filarial nematode Acanthocheilonema viteae expresses the alpha-subunits of heterotrimeric G-proteins corresponding to GS and Gq. We now show, using the same technique, that these two alpha-subunits are not detectable in the microfilaria stage of the parasite. Conversely, microfilariae contain Go, an alpha-subunit not expressed by the adult worm. No other G-protein alpha-subunits were found in microfilariae by Western blotting. However, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with degenerate G-protein oligonucleotide primers, followed by hybridisation analysis, using oligonucleotides specific for individual G-protein alpha-subunits, not only confirmed expression of Go, but also detected Gi1 and G11 alpha-subunits. G-protein expression in infective larvae was also investigated by RT-PCR analysis: this stage of the organism was found to resemble the adult more than the microfilaria but differed from the adult in that GS was absent and Gi3 was present. The significance of these stage-specific differences in G-protein expression is discussed with respect to their possible role in parasite development and survival.