title: Plasmodium falciparum: mRNA co-expression and protein co-localisation of two gene products upregulated in early gametocytes.
abstract: Genes encoding Plasmodium falciparum proteins Pfs16 and Pfpeg3/mdv1, specifically appearing in the parasitophorous vacuole of the early gametocytes, are upregulated at the onset of sexual differentiation. Analysis of asexual development in gametocyte producing and non-producing clones of P. falciparum indicated that these genes are also transcribed at a low level in asexual parasites, although their protein products are not detectable in these stages by immunofluorescence. Immunoelectron microscopic analysis of stage II gametocytes indicated that Pfs16 and Pfpeg3/mdv1 proteins co-localise in the parasitophorous vacuole membrane and in all derived membranous structures (such as the multi-laminate membrane whorls of the circular clefts in the infected erythrocyte cytoplasm and the membranes of the gametocyte food vacuoles). In this analysis both proteins were also observed for the first time in the membrane and in the lumen of distinct cleft-like structures in the erythrocyte cytoplasm.
authors: Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Parassitarie ed Immunomediate, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena n.299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors: Alessandra
authors: A
authors: Lanfrancotti
authors: Lucia
authors: L
authors: Bertuccini
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Silvestrini
authors: Pietro
authors: P
authors: Alano
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000469:parasitology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005718:Gametogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D015870:Gene Expression; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012733:Sex Differentiation; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C068959:Pfs16 protein, Plasmodium falciparum