Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-7qhmt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-29T07:50:34.088Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Microtubules in Plasmodium falciparum merozoites and their importance for invasion of erythrocytes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 November 1998

R. E. FOWLER
Affiliation:
Department of Immunology, UMDS, The Medical School, Guy's Hospital, London SE1 9RT, UK Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, UMDS, The Medical School, Guy's Hospital, London SE1 9RT, UK
R. E. FOOKES
Affiliation:
Department of Immunology, UMDS, The Medical School, Guy's Hospital, London SE1 9RT, UK
F. LAVIN
Affiliation:
Department of Immunology, UMDS, The Medical School, Guy's Hospital, London SE1 9RT, UK
L. H. BANNISTER
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, UMDS, The Medical School, Guy's Hospital, London SE1 9RT, UK
G. H. MITCHELL
Affiliation:
Department of Immunology, UMDS, The Medical School, Guy's Hospital, London SE1 9RT, UK

Abstract

Plasmodium falciparum merozoites have an array of 2–3 subpellicular microtubules, designated f-MAST. We have previously shown that colchicine inhibits merozoite invasion of erythrocytes, indicating a microtubular involvement in this process. Colchicine inhibition of invasion was reduced by the Taxol®-stabilization of merozoite microtubules prior to colchicine exposure. Immunofluorescence assays showed that the number and length of f-MASTs were reduced in colchicine-treated merozoites, confirming that microtubules were the target of colchicine inhibition. The dinitroaniline drugs, trifluralin and pendimethalin, were shown by immunofluorescence to depolymerize the f-MAST and both drugs were inhibitory in invasion assays. These results demonstrate that the integrity of the f-MAST is important for successful invasion. Fluorescence imaging demonstrated the alignment of mitochondria to f-MAST, suggesting that mitochondrial transport might be perturbed in merozoites with disorganized f-MAST. Depolymerizing mt in late-stage schizonts did not affect the allocation of mitochondria to merozoites.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
1998 Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)