title: Enhanced gametocyte formation in erythrocyte progenitor cells: a site-specific adaptation by Plasmodium falciparum.
abstract: Gametocytogenesis by Plasmodium falciparum is essential for transmission of the parasite from human to mosquito, yet developing gametocytes lack expression of surface proteins required for cytoadherence. Therefore, elimination from the circulation should occur unless they are sequestered in regions of low blood flow such as the extracellular spaces of the bone marrow. Our data indicate that gametocytogenesis is enhanced in the presence of erythroid progenitors found within the bone marrow. Furthermore, atomic force microscopy indicates that developing gametocytes undergo remarkable shifts in their erythrocyte membrane elasticity, which may allow them to be retained within the bone marrow until maturation.
authors.affiliation: Malaria Biology Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Herston, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Christopher L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Peatey
authors.forename: Jolanta A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: Katharine R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Trenholme
authors.forename: Christopher L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nielson
authors.forename: Marko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guenther
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Timmins
authors.forename: Gregory S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: Donald L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Gardiner
mesh_terms: D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology; D004548:Elasticity; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000254:growth & development*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000469:parasitology*
keywords: Plasmodium falciparum; atomic force microscopy; erythroid progenitor cells; gametocytes