IF imaging of fixed PfClpPKO parasites stained with antibodies against ACP and DAPI (Upper) or Cpn60 and DAPI (Lower). Both ACP and Cpn60 lose their typical apicoplast localization in PfClpPKO and appear in vesicle-like structures, Immunofluorescence assays (IFA) revealed that apicoplast proteins, such as acyl carrier protein (ACP) and chaperonin 60 (Cpn60), lost their typical apicoplast localization, and instead appear in vesicle-like structures. These structures indicate loss of organelle integrity.

Florentin A, Stephens DR, Brooks CF, Baptista RP, Muralidharan V. Plastid biogenesis in malaria parasites requires the interactions and catalytic activity of the Clp proteolytic system. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2020 Jun 1:201919501.