PfEMP-1 was distributed on the knob structures (K) of the erythrocyte membrane (RBCM) (A; short arrow), on electron-dense vesicles which appeared to fuse with the RBCM (B; short arrows) and among aggregated electron-dense vesicles within the erythrocyte cytoplasm (C; short arrow). In sections of AlF4-treated trophozoites (D–H), which were processed for anti-PfEMP-1 immunogold labeling, PfEMP-1 was distributed on single vesicles (F, short arrow), on vesicles arranged in ‘strings’ within the erythrocyte cytoplasm (D, short arrow) and on vesicular ‘strings’, which appeared to fuse with the RBCM (E, G and H; short arrows). RBCM, erythrocyte plasma membrane; K, knob; P, parasite cytosol; E, erythrocyte cytosol. Scale bar100 nm.

Trelka DP, Schneider TG, Reeder JC, Taraschi TF. Evidence for vesicle-mediated trafficking of parasite proteins to the host cell cytosol and erythrocyte surface membrane in Plasmodium falciparum infected erythrocytes. Mol Biochem Parasitol. 2000 106:131-45. Copyright Elsevier 2009