Distinct External Signals Trigger Sequential Release of Apical Organelles during Erythrocyte Invasion by Malaria Parasites
Figure 1
Cytosolic calcium levels in P. falciparum merozoites during erythrocyte invasion.
Late stage P. falciparum schizonts were labeled with Fluo-4AM and added to uninfected erythrocytes to allow re-invasion. Calcium levels were monitored in released merozoites during invasion by time-lapse video microscopy. Both DIC and fluorescence images were acquired at 2 second intervals. Selected pairs of DIC and fluorescence images with time elapsed between frames in seconds (Sec) are shown. The mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) after subtraction of background in an individual merozoite that successfully completed invasion (marked by arrows) is indicated. White bar indicates 5 µm. Also see Supplementary Information, Videos S1, S2 and S3.