SUBCELLULAR-LOCALIZATION OF PFS16, A PLASMODIUM-FALCIPARUM GAMETOCYTEANTIGEN

We have used immunoelectron microscopy to investigate the subcellular location of Pfs16 in Plasmodium falciparum. It was detected in the out er membrane region of gametocytes and more specifically on the parasit ophorous vacuole membrane (pvm), since, during gametogenesis when the pvm disintegrates, the majority of the antigen was detected on the rem ains of this membrane in multilaminated whorls and not on the gamete p lasma membrane. The antigen was also present on other gametocyte cellu lar structures, including those which we believe to be Garnham bodies, present in the host cell cytoplasm of some gametocytes. The antigen w as present too on the membrane surrounding cytostomes and the resultin g food vacuoles in the parasite cytoplasm.