Release of merozoites from Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes could be mediated by a non-explosive event

Citation
E. Winograd et al., Release of merozoites from Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes could be mediated by a non-explosive event, PARASIT RES, 85(8-9), 1999, pp. 621-624
Citations number
17
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Microbiology
Journal title
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
ISSN journal
0932-0113 → ACNP
Volume
85
Issue
8-9
Year of publication
1999
Pages
621 - 624
Database
ISI
SICI code
0932-0113(199908)85:8-9<621:ROMFPF>2.0.ZU;2-8
Abstract
Little is known about the molecular mechanism underlying the release of mer ozoites from malaria-infected erythrocytes. In the present study, video mic roscopy was carried out, and images throughout the process of merozoite rel ease from Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes were digitized and an alyzed. Merozoites were shown to escape from the infected host cell in abou t 1 s through a single site of the infected erythrocyte membrane, whose dim ension was estimated to be 2.5 mu m. Merozoites were released together with the residual body containing hemozoin, leaving behind a membranous structu re that persisted even after an extended period of observation. Densitometr ic measurements showed that the cytoplasmic content of the infected erythro cyte did not diffuse out as parasites were released, but was gradually lost thereafter. This would indicate that the release of merozoites from infect ed erythrocytes is not mediated by an explosive event.