PfATG8, but not PfRAB7, colocalizes with apicoplast-targeted vesicles and apicoplast remnants. (A and B) P. falciparum expressing both mCherry-PfATG8 and aLipDH-GFP (lipoamide dehydrogenase) were treated with chloramphenicol to chemically disrupt the formation of the apicoplast, and IPP added to the culture medium to maintain viability of the parasites. DMSO control (A) and chloramphenicol treated (B) infected erythrocytes were counterstained with Hoechst 33258. The Pearson’s coefficients (r) show the degree of colocalization in each individual image. (D and E) Transgenic parasites expressing aLipDH-GFP were treated as above. Immunofluorescence analyses of untreated controls (D) or chloramphenicol/IPP treated (E) and were performed using anti-PfRAB7 antibodies (red). Hoechst 33258 (blue) was used to stain the nuclei. Scale bar: 2 μm.

Tomlins AM, Ben-Rached F, Williams RA, Proto WR, Coppens I, Ruch U, Gilberger TW, Coombs GH, Mottram JC, Müller S, Langsley G. Plasmodium falciparum ATG8 implicated in both autophagy and apicoplast formation. Autophagy. 2013 Aug 29;9(10). PMID: 2402567