염전위충 감염자충과 성충의 DNase 활성 비교

Comparison of DNase Activities from Infective Larvae vs Adult Worms of Haemonchus contortus

DNase activity from infective larvae of the parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus was characterized and compared to that from whole worm. DNase activity from infective larvae was detected throughout pHs 4-10, but high activity was detected under acidic conditions. The activity was not inhibited by 10 mM EDTA at pH 5.0, but was significantly inhibited at pH 7.0. The activity produced DNA, fragments with mixtures of 3'-hydroxyls (OH) and 3'-phosphates (P) at each pH with predominance of 3'-P. A unique DNase activity at 37 kDa was identified from infective larvae on zymograms. The 37 kDa DNase was detected only at pH 5.0, but not at pH 7.0, and this activity was not inhibited by EDTA at pH 5.0. These characteristics of the 37 kDa infective larval DNase resemble those of classic acidic DNases (e.g., DNase II). In contrast, 34, 36 and 38.5 kDa DNase activities were shown to be specific for whole worm. This result demonstrated that DNases in H contortus are regulated during development.