Multilocus enzyme electrophoresis: avaluabletechnique for providing answers to problems inparasitesystematics

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0020-7519(98)00168-4Get rights and content

Abstract

The aim of this review is to highlight the effectiveness of the technique ofmultilocusenzyme electrophoresis in answering questions relating to the systematics of parasitesand tohighlight errors in the way the technique has been used and the results interpreted. Wehaveapproached this topic by answering specific questions that we have been asked bycolleagues andstudents not necessarily familiar with the technique, the method of data analysisand itsapplication. Although the technique has been applied to provide answers for taxonomicandpopulation genetics studies, it remains under-utilised, perhaps because of recent advancesinnewer molecular technology. Rather than not acknowledge or dismiss the value ofmoretraditional technology, we suggest that researchers examine problems in the systematicsofparasites by the comparison of data derived from morphological, biochemical andmoleculartechniques.

Section snippets

Focus of review

Has the parasite I am working with been correctly identified? or has the strain beenmixedup before I received it? or even the inadmissible, has the strain been mixed up in my ownlaboratory?If these questions are not asked, results are published that accredit some novel or oddattribute to ataxon which has previously not been observed. This occurrence is perhaps morecommon than manyreaders of this letter might expect, or than some workers would like to admit. (From a letter Aretrees real?, by

Systematics and problems in parasitology

The term systematics, derived from the Latinised Greek word systema [8],isoften misrepresented or used in a restricted manner, as many authors equate its use solely with oneofits subdisciplines, phylogenetics. Post [9] pointed out that systematics appears to bedominatedby researchers interested in phylogenetic reconstruction, but this term is not exclusive tothem.Systematics is the scientific study of the kinds and diversity of organisms and of any orallrelationships among them [10], where the

The technique of multilocus enzyme electrophoresis

Multilocus enzyme electrophoresis can best be described as the migration ofnon-denaturedproteins (i.e. enzymes) across a support medium (e.g., cellulose acetate,polyacrylamide or starch)under the influence of an electric field. Proteins migrate at a different rateon an electrophoretic gelbecause of differences in their net charges, size and/or shape. The chargeof the protein molecule,hence its migration rate on gels, is also influenced by the pH of the bufferused. Another relatedtechnique,

Frequently asked questions about multilocusenzymeelectrophoresis

For the purposes of this review, we have decided to consider both practical andtheoreticalquestions that we have been frequently asked over a number of years, by students,colleagues andreferees, concerning the application of multilocus enzyme electrophoresis to thesystematics ofparasites.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first published review on the applications of multilocusenzymeelectrophoresis to parasites. It emphasises the usefulness and effectiveness of the techniqueinproviding information on the systematics of parasites, provided that the technique isappliedappropriately (i.e. in a biologically relevant manner) and care is taken in the interpretationof results.If this is the case, the data sets produced by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis provide asound basisto explore

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Ian Beveridge, Robin Gasser, Herve Hoste, Janey Jackson,PaulMonis, Michelle Morris, Michael OCallaghan and Trevor Petney for their valuable commentson themanuscript and the Specialist Editor, Ian Whittington, for inviting us to write this review andfor hispatience. We also thank the Australian Research Council, National Health Medical andResearchCouncil of Australia, Channel 7 and Channel 10 Childrens Medical Research Foundationof SA,Clive and Vera Ramaciotti Foundation,

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