PfATRP probably exhibits IMC and microtubular localization pattern. Dual IFAs were performed for both asexual and sexual parasite stages using markers for different subcellular organelles. (A) Slides were prepared for asexual stage parasites (early schizonts (ES); late schizonts (LS); rupturing schizonts (RS) and free merozoites (Mz), and probed with a-PfATRP rabbit antibody (green); (1:100) and a-PfMTIP rat antibody (1:100); (red) which showed that PfATRP partly colocalized

with PfMTIP in the inner membrane complex. . a-PfATRP rabbit antibody partly colocalizes with a-PfMTIP rat antibody (A) indicating that a subpopulation of PfATRP is localized to the IMC. (B) Similarly, dual IFAs were performed for matured schizonts (MS), rupturing schizonts (RS) and free merozoites (Mz). a-TAT1 mouse antibody (red); (1:10), the marker for microtubules and a-PfATRP rabbit antibody (green) (1:100) did not colocalize. In early-, late-, rupturing-schizonts and free merozoites, there was no overlap of a-PfATRP rabbit and a-Tubulin Acetyltransferase 1 (TAT1) mouse antibody. This suggests that PfATRP might not be associated with microtubules during asexual stages.(C) Gametocytes (stages I-V) were co-stained with a-PfMTIP rat antibody (red), (1:100) and a-PfATRP rabbit antibody (green), (1:100); and a restricted colocalization pattern was observed . In gametocytes, a-PfATRP rabbit antibody labeled gametocytes and a restricted colocalization pattern with a-PfMTIP rat antibody was observed. (D) Co-staining of gametocytes with a-TAT-1 mouse antibody (red), (1:10) and a-PfATRP rabbit antibody (green); (1:100) showed colocalization which was largely cytoplasmic. a-PfATRP rabbit antibodies colocalizes with TAT1 that recognizes all tubulin isoforms suggesting an association with the microtubular network in gametocytes. White lines on IFA images represent scale bar. R signifies the colocalization coefficient.

Amlabu E, Ilani P, Opoku G, Nyarko PB, Quansah E, Thiam LG, Anim M, Ayivor-Djanie R, Akuh OA, Mensah-Brown H, Rayner JC, Awandare GA. Molecular Characterization and Immuno-Reactivity Patterns of a Novel Plasmodium falciparum Armadillo-Type Repeat Protein, PfATRP. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2020 10:114. eCollection 2020.