Episomal Expression of Cleavage-Resistant MSP1 Inhibits P. falciparum Growth. Immunofluorescence analysis (IFA) of parental 3D7 and FCB1 schizonts, as well as 3D7 schizonts harboring the constructs in the indicated concentrations of blasticidin. Parasites were probed with MSP1 isoform-specific antibodies. Merged signals include that of the DNA dye 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI, blue). Scale bar, 5 mm. Parasites harboring a wild-type msp1-f transgene (3D7pHBIMFwt), or the same gene with mutations at all putative 38/42 sites (3D7pHBIMFmut38/42), or at all primary processing sites (3D7pHBIMFmutall), correctly expressed the transgene product on developing merozoites at all blasticidin concentrations tested.

Das S, Hertrich N, Perrin AJ, Withers-Martinez C, Collins CR, Jones ML, Watermeyer JM, Fobes ET, Martin SR, Saibil HR, Wright GJ, Treeck M, Epp C, Blackman MJ. Processing of Plasmodium falciparum Merozoite Surface Protein MSP1 Activates a Spectrin-Binding Function Enabling Parasite Egress from RBCs. Cell Host Microbe. 2015 Oct 18(4):433-44.