Localization of endogenously GFP-tagged PfGSK3βFL (E) and PfGSK3βTGD (F) in gametocyte stages analyzed by fluorescence microscopy in unfixed parasites. Nuclei were stained with Hoechst33342. White squares refer to magnified sections presented in the bottom panel. DIC = Differential interference contrast. Scale bar = 8 μm (zoom 1 µm). Full-length PfGSK3β was detectable in all stages of gametocyte development and localized mainly in the nuclear periphery of all gametocyte stages, reminiscent of its localization in asexual blood stages (E). In contrast, the truncated, inactive version expressed in PfGSK3β TGD showed again a solely cytosolic signal F).

Alder A, Wilcke L, Pietsch E, von Thien H, Pazicky S, Löw C, Mesen-Ramirez P, Bachmann A, Burda PC, Kunick C, Sondermann H, Wilson D, Gilberger TW. Functional inactivation of Plasmodium falciparum glycogen synthase kinase GSK3 modulates erythrocyte invasion and blocks gametocyte maturation. J Biol Chem. 2022 9:102360. PMID: 35961464.