Plasmodium falciparum: Freeze-Fracture of the Gametocyte Pellicular Complex
Abstract
Freeze-fracturing has been used to study the architecture of the pellicular complex of the gametocytes of Plasmodium falciparum. The gametocyte is surrounded by three membranes and a layer of subpellicular microtubules. During freeze-fracturing, each of the three membranes is split along its hydrophobic interior to yield a total of six fracture faces. The most obvious feature of each fracture face is the presence of globular intramembranous particles on their surfaces. The six fracture faces differ from one another in arrangement, size, and density of these intramembranous particles. In gametocytes, unlike in sporozoites, the intramembranous particles are always distributed randomly and lack any definite pattern or orientations. A unique feature of gametocytes revealed by the freeze-fracturing technique is the presence of several transverse sutures on the middle membrane that encircle the gametocyte and give it a segmented appearance. Keywords: Plasmodium falciparum, Protozoa, Parasitic, Malaria, Human, Freeze-fracture, Gametocyte, Structure, Protoplasmic face of vacuolar membrane, External face of the vacuolar membrane, Protoplasmic face of middle membrane, Protoplasmic face of inner membrane, External face of inner membrane, Reprints.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA198947
Entities
People
- Charles A. Meszoely
- Eric F. Erbe
- James Trosper
- Richard L. Beaudoin
- Russell L. Steere
Organizations
- Naval Medical Research Center