Localization of PfPV-1 in IRBCs. Trophozoite-IRBCs were spread onto microscope slides. Cells were fixed and incubated with mAbs that were directed either against the band 3 protein of the erythrocyte membrane (A), against the vacuolar marker protein PfEXP-2 (B), or against the Maurer’s clefts marker protein PfSBP1 (C). All slides were also incubated with the polyclonal antiserum against PfPV-1. Binding of the mAbs was monitored with Cy3 conjugated anti-mouse secondary antibodies (red), and binding of the polyclonal antiserum was monitored with Cy2 conjugated anti-rabbit secondary antibodies (green). PfPV-1 is concentrated in a distinct ring surrounding the parasite cell, and this location is distinct from that of the erythrocyte membrane (A). It colocalizes with the vacuolar marker protein PfEXP-2 (B) and with PfSBP1 (C), suggesting that it is present not only in the PV but also in Maurer’s clefts.

Nyalwidhe J, Lingelbach K. Proteases and chaperones are the most abundant proteins in the parasitophorous vacuole of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes. Proteomics. 2006 6:1563-73.