PfRab7 was localized near Golgi and DV in most of the trophozoites and at some positions with micronemes. Parasite was immunostained with anti-PfRab7 antibody and antibodies specific to (A) Golgi, anti-PfERD2, (B) DV, anti-PfPlasmepsin II and (C) microneme, anti-PfEBA-175. (D) 3 dimensional images captured using Z-stacking are presented with indicated combination of the same cells. Scale bar denotes 5 μm in all figures except in 3D view where it denotes 2 μm. PfRab7 localized in close association with both DV and Golgi in most of the cells (A and B). We also checked the localization of PfRab7 with respect to apical organelles in merozoites formed in mature schizonts. We found that PfRab7 colocalized with PfEBA-175 (Erythrocyte Binding Antigen - 175) at some locations suggesting its possible role related to apical organelles of the parasite (C). Data indicated that PfRab7 localized in close association with the Golgi and DV based on the confocal studies with anti-PfERD2 and anti-PfPlasmepsin II antibodies that marked the Golgi and DV, respectively, in most of the trophozoites. There was also some localization with PfEBA-175 at a few loci (D).

Siddiqui AA, Saha D, Iqbal MS, Saha SJ, Sarkar S, Banerjee C, Nag S, Mazumder S, De R, Pramanik S, Debsharma S, Bandyopadhyay U. Rab7 of Plasmodium falciparum is involved in its retromer complex assembly near the digestive vacuole. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj. 2020 Jun 5:129656.