DIFFERENTIAL EXPRESSION OF GLUTATHIONE-S-TRANSFERASE (GST) BY ADULT HELIGMOSOMOIDES-POLYGYRUS DURING PRIMARY INFECTION IN FAST AND SLOW RESPONDING HOSTS

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) specific enzymatic activity, assayed w ith the model substrate 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, was 45% higher in adult Heligmosomoides polygyrus passaged through a slow responder mou se strain, C57/BL10 compared to worms passaged through a fast-responde r strain (SWR X SJL) F-1. Western analysis using polyclonal antisera r aised to purified H. polygyrus GSTs did not appear to positively corre late the expression of GST protein with functional enzymatic activity. However, western blotting did indicate a sex-linked expression patter n of GST protein, with male worms expressing a higher ratio of the 24 kDa to the 23 kDa GST family than female worms.