In:
PLOS Biology, Public Library of Science (PLoS), Vol. 19, No. 3 ( 2021-3-11), p. e3001020-
Abstract:
Malaria is caused by unicellular Plasmodium parasites. Plasmodium relies on diverse microtubule cytoskeletal structures for its reproduction, multiplication, and dissemination. Due to the small size of this parasite, its cytoskeleton has been primarily observable by electron microscopy (EM). Here, we demonstrate that the nanoscale cytoskeleton organisation is within reach using ultrastructure expansion microscopy (U-ExM). In developing microgametocytes, U-ExM allows monitoring the dynamic assembly of axonemes and concomitant tubulin polyglutamylation in whole cells. In the invasive merozoite and ookinete forms, U-ExM unveils the diversity across Plasmodium stages and species of the subpellicular microtubule arrays that confer cell rigidity. In ookinetes, we additionally identify an apical tubulin ring (ATR) that colocalises with markers of the conoid in related apicomplexan parasites. This tubulin-containing structure was presumed to be lost in Plasmodium despite its crucial role in motility and invasion in other apicomplexans. Here, U-ExM reveals that a divergent and considerably reduced form of the conoid is actually conserved in Plasmodium species.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1545-7885
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001020
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001020.g001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001020.g002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001020.g003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001020.g004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001020.g005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001020.g006
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001020.s001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001020.s002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001020.s003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001020.s004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001020.s005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001020.s006
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001020.s007
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001020.s008
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001020.s009
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001020.s010
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001020.s011
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001020.s012
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001020.s013
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001020.s014
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001020.s015
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001020.r001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001020.r002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001020.r003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001020.r004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001020.r005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001020.r006
Language:
English
Publisher:
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Publication Date:
2021
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2126773-X
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