Subcellular localization of PfRON12 in schizonts and free merozoites by indirect immunofluorescence assay. PfRON12; staining with rabbit anti-PfRON12 polyclonal antibodies, RON2; staining with mouse anti-RON2 polyclonal antibodies, MTIP; staining with mouse anti-MTIP polyclonal antibodies, Merge; merged

image including DAPI stained nucleus, DIC; differential interference contrast microscopy image. Triton (+); permeabilized with 0.1% Triton X-100. Bars 5 μm. (D) Subcellular localization of PfRON12 in P. falciparum merozoite in schizont stage by immunoelectron microscopy. PfRON12 localization was indicated by15-nm gold particles observed on the neck portion of the rhoptry. Rh; Rhoptry, N; nucleus. Bar 500 nm. Among the unpermeabilized merozoites, 63% (n=22) showed the surface fluorescence signal of anti-PfRON12 (Fig. 1C, lower panels), and 37% (n=10) showed faint signal of anti-PfRON12 (data not shown). These results clearly demonstrate that PfRON12 is translocated to the surface of released merozoites.

Ito D, Takashima E, Yamasaki T, Hatano S, asegawa T, Miura K, Morita M, Thongkukiatkul A, Diakite M, Long CA, Sattabongkot J, Udomsangpetch R, Iriko H, Ishino T, Tsuboi T. Antibodies against a Plasmodium falciparum RON12 inhibit merozoite invasion into erythrocytes. Parasitol Int. 2018 68(1):87-91. PMID: 30342119