PfEMP1 PfEMP1

Export of miniPfEMP1 proteins to the red blood cell cytoplasm Representative fluorescence images showing the localization of miniPfEMP1-GFP fusion proteins. Parasite lines are indicated on the left. The first column of images represents GFP fluorescence, the second column BODIPY lipid staining, the third column DAPI staining of parasite DNA, and the fourth column an overlay of the three images. The NTS-V5-GFP construct was confined to the parasite and other miniPfEMP1 constructs were typically exported to the RBC cytoplasm. Exported proteins had a punctate staining pattern and GFP signal generally colocalized with BODIPY-labeled structures in the RBC cytoplasm (white arrowheads).

Melcher M, Muhle RA, Henrich PP, Kraemer SM, Avril M, Vigan-Womas I, Mercereau-Puijalon O, Smith JD, Fidock DA. Identification of a role for the PfEMP1 semi-conserved head structure in protein trafficking to the surface of Plasmodium falciparum infected red blood cells. Cell Microbiol. 2010 Oct;12(10):1446-62 PMID: 20438573

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