PF3D7_0930300 merozoite surface protein 1

Reversible clustering of a GPI-anchored protein in compound treated trophozoite stage parasites. (A) Distribution of the GPIanchored protein MSP1 was examined by immunofluorescence assays in 32–34 h PMI (post merozoite invasion) trophozoite stage P. falciparum 3D7 exposed for 2 h to the vehicle (control), PA21A050 (10 nM) or KAE609 (10 nM). (B) After 2 h of the removal of the compounds, parasites largely restored the distribution of MSP1 throughout the PPM. (C) The compound-induced MSP1 clustering was not observed in parasites adapted to grow in low [Na+] medium following compound treatments for 2 h. (E) Immunogold labeling for MSP1 on a representative P. falciparum control parasite (upper panel), in which the gold particles are distributed throughout the parasite plasma membrane (PPM); and on a representative PA21A050-treated parasite (lower panel), in which the gold particles are clustered in one patch. Cryo-sections were labeled with the anti-MSP1 antibody, and binding revealed with protein A-gold particles (10 nm). PPM, Parasite plasma membrane; PVM, Parasitophorous vacuole membrane.

Das S, Bhatanagar S, Morrisey JM, Daly TM, Burns JM Jr, Coppens I, Vaidya AB. Na+ Influx Induced by New Antimalarials Causes Rapid Alterations in the Cholesterol Content and Morphology of Plasmodium falciparum. PLoS Pathog. 2016 May 26;12(5):e1005647

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