PFE1605w localizes to knobs. Shown here are postembedding immunoelectron microscopy images of iRBCs expressing PFI1780w-GFP (A, B), PFE1605w-HA (C), and PFE1605w-GFP (D). Insets: enlarged views of boxed sections. White arrows, 5 nM gold. Knobs (K) and Maurer’s clefts (MC) are labeled. Scale bars = 200 nm (A); 500 nm (C); 250 nm (B, D). Gold labeling of PFI1780w-GFP was found in proximity to the iRBC membrane but was clearly absent from knobs (A) and frequently at Maurer’s clefts (B). In contrast, PFE1605w-3xHA (C) and PFE1605w-GFP were clearly localized in knobs, and in trophozoite stage parasites, PFE1605w-GFP was also frequently found in Maurer’s clefts (D), suggesting that it localizes underneath the iRBC membrane, whereas PFE1605w localizes

to knobs, but both proteins seem to be transiently transported through the Maurer’s clefts.

Oberli A, Slater LM, Cutts E, Brand F, Mundwiler-Pachlatko E, Rusch S, Masik MF, Erat MC, Beck HP, Vakonakis I. A Plasmodium falciparum PHIST protein binds the virulence factor PfEMP1 and comigrates to knobs on the host cell surface. FASEB J. 2014 [Epub ahead of print] PMID: