Effect of BFA treatment of parasites on export and organisation of Pfδ-COP, PfERC, PfSec31p and PfEMP1. (Top three panels) Erythrocytes infected with tightly synchronised (6–10 h) ring stage malaria parasites (FAC8 strain) were incubated for 18 h in the presence of 5 μg ml−1 BFA or an equivalent volume of methanol. Smears were made before and after treatment. (Bottom panel) Erythrocytes infected with tightly synchronised (24–28 h) trophozoite stage malaria parasites (FAC8 strain) were incubated for 3 h in the presence of 5 μg ml−1 BFA. Smears were made after treatment. In each case, the smears were probed with a murine antiserum recognising the ER-located protein, PfERC, followed by Alexa Fluor 568-conjugated anti-mouse IgG (red fluorescence) plus either (A) affinity purified rabbit anti-GST-Pfδ-COP(90) antiserum or (B) affinity purified rabbit anti-PfSec31p antiserum or (C) rabbit anti-PfEMP1 antiserum, followed by FITC-conjugated anti-rabbit IgG (green florescence). DIC images are shown in the left hand panels. Overlays of the green and red fluorescence channels are shown in the right hand panels. The bar in the top right hand panel represents 5 μm. Adisa A, Rug M, Foley M, Tilley L. Characterisation of a delta-COP homologue in the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. Mol Biochem Parasitol. 2002