PPLP2 localizes to vesicular structures in the asexual blood and gametocyte stages of P. falciparum.

A. PPLP2 localization in asexual blood stage parasites. PPLP2-positive vesicular structures are present in the cytoplasm of trophozoites (TZ) and schizonts (SZ). PPLP2 was immunolabelled with mouse anti-PPLP2RP1 antisera (green), the asexual blood stages were visualized by rabbit anti-MSP1 antisera (red). Nuclei were highlighted by Hoechst stain (blue).

B. PPLP2 localization in gametocytes and relocalization upon activation. PPLP2-positive vesicles (green) are present in mature gametocytes (mGC) and in gametocytes at 2 min p.a. (aGC). Focal PPLP2 labelling is detectable in aGC at 10 min p.a., but not in aGC that have egressed from the RBC. Gametocytes were visualized by rabbit anti-Pfs230 antisera (red); nuclei were highlighted by Hoechst stain (blue). Arrows indicate microgametes.

C. Presence of PPLP2-positive vesicles in Pfg377(−) gametocytes. Immunolabelling as in B; Pfg377(−) gametocytes were visualized by rabbit anti-Pfs230 antisera, female WT gametocytes were visualized by rabbit anti-Pfs25 antisera (red). Images A–C show labelling with antisera directed against PPLP2RP1, a similar labelling pattern was observed for antisera against PPLP2RP2. Results shown in A–C are representative for three to five independent experiments. Bar, 5 μm.

Wirth CC, Glushakova S, Scheuermayer M, Repnik U, Garg S, Schaack D, Kachman MM, Weißbach T, Zimmerberg J, Dandekar T, Griffiths G, Chitnis CE, Singh S, Fischer R, Pradel G. Perforin-like protein PPLP2 permeabilizes the red blood cell membrane during egress of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes. Cell Microbiol. 2014 16(5):709-33. PMID: 24602217