A gene encoding a protein with strong homology with Caenorhabditis elegans and C. briggsae acetylcholinesterase ACE-1 was cloned from Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica pre-parasitic juveniles. Both cDNAs have an ORF of 1968 bp for a deduced translation product of 656 amino acid residues. The key residues essential to acetylcholinesterase (AChE) structure and function are conserved in both sequences. M. incognita and M. javanica AChE share a homology of 98.8% at the amino acid level and 97% at the nucleotide level. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Meloidogyne and Caenorhabditis AChE form a cluster among AChE of triploblastic organisms. This Meloidogyne AChE is expressed in eggs, pre-parasitic juveniles and males and AChE activity was detected in situ in amphids of pre-parasitic juveniles. The opportunity of using AChE as a target in new strategies of nematode control is discussed.
Piotte C, Arthaud L, Abad P, Rosso MN (1999) Molecular cloning of an acetylcholinesterase gene from the plant parasitic nematodes, Meloidogyne incognita and Meloidogyne javanica Molecular & Biochemical Parasitology99: 247-256