MODULATION OF SPORE ADHESION OF THE HYPERPARASITIC BACTERIUM PASTEURIA-PENETRANS TO NEMATODE CUTICLE

Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) raised to the cuticule surface of second-s tage juveniles (J2) of the nematode Heterodera cajani were partially c haracterized br immunofluorescence and Western blot analysis. Five ant igens with relative molecular weights (M-r) 55, 80, 110, 180 and 110 k Da were identified with six mAb. Pasteuria spores, originating from th e same population of H. cajani to which the antibodies were raised, we re tested for their ability to attach to J2, which had been pretreated with each of the mAb. Monoclonal antibody HC/129 was found to reduce spore attachment by 42%, whereas HC/145 increased spore attachment by 124%. This is the first record of an antibody binding to the cuticle a nd increasing spore attachment, and suggests that components of the cu ticle involved in inhibiting spore attachment may be masking the Paste uria receptor present on the cuticle.