Erythrocyte exit: Out, damned merozoite! Out I say!
A new study has combined video microscopy with fluorescent labeling of host and parasite membranes to follow Plasmodium falciparum merozoites as they exit their host erythrocyte. The result has yielded some arresting images, which make compelling viewing irrespective of whether or not you have an interest in cell motility in general or P. falciparum erythrocyte exit in particular. Moreover, this work injects important new insights into the long-running debate about the biological mechanisms that underpin merozoite release.
Division of Geographic Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 845 19th St South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA. jrayner@uab.edu
Julian C
JC
Rayner
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000469:parasitology*; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D018715:Microscopy, Video / Q000379:methods; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000502:physiology*; D015800:Protozoan Proteins
D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins