Figure 3

Changes in protein expression during formation and activation of P. falciparum gametocytes. (A) Immunofluorescence assays, using specific antibodies, detected the proteins of interest (in green) in asexual blood stage (ABS) parasites, in gametocytes (GC) and in gametocytes at 30 min p.a. (aGC). The parasite stages were highlighted with antibodies against stage-specific markers (in red; MSP1 for ABS; Pfs230 or Pfs25 for GCs and aGCs). Nuclei were highlighted by Hoechst nuclear stain (in blue). Bar, 5 μm. (B) Diagram showing the average signal intensity of the immunolabeled proteins in gametocytes before and at 30 min p.a. in vitro. Measurements were performed on 20 plotted cells per setting via quantitative confocal microscopy. Mean ± SD. *p < 0.05;**p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001 (student’s t-test).