Plasmodium falciparum: mRNA co-expression and protein co-localisation of two gene products upregulated in early gametocytes.
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.
Lanfrancotti
Alessandra
A
Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Parassitarie ed Immunomediate, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena n.299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
Bertuccini
Lucia
L
Silvestrini
Francesco
F
Alano
Pietro
P
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
D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C068959:Pfs16 protein, Plasmodium falciparum