CLAG 9 is located in the rhoptries of Plasmodium falciparum

Abstract

Clag 9, a gene located on chromosome 9 of Plasmodium falciparum has previously been associated with the cytoadherence of parasitized erythrocytes to CD36. This gene is part of a multi-gene family found in all Plasmodium species studied to date. Using data from the Malaria Genome Sequencing Project, peptides specific for clag 9 were designed, synthesized and used to immunize mice. This antisera was used in Western blotting and immunofluorescence experiments to determine the cellular localization of CLAG 9 in the parasitized erythrocyte. Co-localization using immunofluorescence of wildtype and knockout parasites unequivocally shows that CLAG 9 is localized to the rhoptry organelles of P. falciparum.