PfmtRPS18 is likely localized to the mitochondrial inner membrane. A and B, images of D10-PfmtRPS18–3HA parasites. PVM, parasitophorous vacuole membrane; PPM, parasite plasma membrane; DV, digestive vacuole; ER, endoplasmic reticulum; M, mitochondrion. Black dots in red boxes indicate PfmtRPS18–3HA is localized to the mitochondrial inner membrane. C, a control with omission of the primary antibody shows a clear backgound. Data shown are representative of two biological experiments. For the first time, we have demonstrated a close association of the mitoribosome to the mitochondrial inner membrane in an apicomplexan parasite. Compared with other ribosomes, a unique feature of the mitoribosome is that all or most of its protein translation products are highly hydrophobic mtETC subunits.

Ling L, Mulaka M, Munro J, Dass S, Mather MW, Riscoe MK, Llinás M, Zhou J, Ke H. Genetic ablation of the mitoribosome in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum sensitizes it to antimalarials that target mitochondrial functions. J Biol Chem. 2020 295(21):7235-7248.