Influence of 0.02 M EDTA and 3 M KCl on surface of Hymenolepis diminuta and composition of isolated proteins.

The glycocalyx of Hymenolepis diminuta (Cestoda, Cyclophyllidea) was isolated using 0.02 M EDTA or 3 M KCl. It was shown in the electron micrographs that 0.02 M EDTA did not damage the tapeworm plasma membrane, eliminating glycocylax only, in contrast to 3 M KCl which disrupted tegument up to the basal membrane. The protein analysis of extracts and the supernatant of homogenate of the whole tapeworm strobila by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS) electrophoresis revealed that the substance extracted with 3 M KCl was more abundant in protein fractions than the two remaining ones. The substance extracted with 0.02 EDTA, collecting the tapeworm glycocalyx possessed the smallest amount of protein fractions, however, some of them were more abundant.