title: A green fluorescent protein-based assay for determining gametocyte production in Plasmodium falciparum.
abstract: Study of the formation of the sexual blood stages of the malaria parasite has been significantly hampered by the absence of a reliable, reproducible assay devoid of operator bias and error. Here we report on the development of an assay utilizing a green fluorescent protein chimera of the early sexual blood stage protein Pfs16 as a marker for commitment to gametocytogenesis. Analysis of parasites via fluorescence activated cell sorting allows for the accurate assessment of gametocyte production well before morphological changes are apparent.
authors.affiliation: Malaria Biology Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Herston, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Matthew W A
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Dixon
authors.forename: Christopher L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Peatey
authors.forename: Donald L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Gardiner
authors.forename: Katharine R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Trenholme
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002469:Cell Separation; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005718:Gametogenesis; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; C068959:Pfs16 protein, Plasmodium falciparum; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins