Dynamics of GFP–Rab6 expressing parasites during the asexual life cycle of P. falciparum. GFP fluorescence is focused in one defined area in close proximity to the nucleus with some additional ER staining and cytoplasmic background in ring stage parasites (a). Multiplication of the GFP–Rab6 compartment takes place prior to nuclear division (b). As the parasite matures, the GFP–Rab6 compartments further multiply (c). The transport of proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the cis-side of the Golgi complex takes place at specialized ER sub-domains known as transitional ER (tER). Golgi multiplication is closely linked to tER multiplication, and that parasite maturation is accompanied by the spatial separation of the cis- and trans- face of this organelle.

Struck NS, Herrmann S, Schmuck-Barkmann I, de Souza Dias S, Haase S, Cabrera AL, Treeck M, Bruns C, Langer C, Cowman AF, Marti M, Spielmann T, Gilberger TW. Spatial dissection of the cis- and trans-Golgi compartments in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Mol Microbiol. 2008 67:1320-30.