The objective of this study was to test for the presence of glycoproteins in the gelatinous matrix of reniform nematode, Rotylenchulus reniformis. The proteinaceous components of freshly formed gelatinous matrix were analyzed following SDS-PAGE, using peroxidase-labeled plant lectins from soybean (Glycine max), wheat (Triticum vulgaris), asparagus pea (Tetragonolobus purpureus), castor seed (Ricinus communis), common gorse (Ulex europaeus), winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus), and Bandeiraea simplicifolia. Wheat germ agglutinin, which recognizes N-acetylglucosamine moieties, labeled two protein fractions between 60 and 80 kDa. In other studies, N-acetyl-glucosamine moieties have been detected in the gelatinous matrix of root-knot nematode. Glycosylation of nematode proteins has been implicated in host-parasite relationships and in protection against microorganisms. Thus, the confirmation of the presence of glycoproteins may be an important step towards the elucidation of the biological function of the gelatinous matrix in reniform nematode.
