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A Cytochemical Ultrastructural Study of the Lysosomal System of Different Species of Malaria Parasites
Author(s) -
SLOMIANNY C.,
PRENSIER G.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
the journal of protozoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.067
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1550-7408
pISSN - 0022-3921
DOI - 10.1111/j.1550-7408.1990.tb01247.x
Subject(s) - golgi apparatus , endoplasmic reticulum , vesicle , vacuole , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , lysosome , organelle , ultrastructure , acid phosphatase , biochemistry , endomembrane system , enzyme , anatomy , membrane , cytoplasm
. We have used ultrastructural techniques in different malarial species to demonstrate a lysosomal system. First, we have tried to localize acid phosphatase, a typical lysosomal label. Its activity was localized in the endoplasmic reticulum and in endocytic vesicles, and in dense‐cored vesicles near the digestive vacuoles, especially in Plasmodium falciparum (FCR 3 strain). Then, we have studied the different cellular compartments of the malarial parasite by the zinc iodide‐osmium tetroxide technique that heavily contrasted the cellular compartments of the parasite. This experiment led to the observation of a profound rearrangement of the endoplasmic reticulum, especially in P. berghei. A very atypical but functional Golgi apparatus was demonstrated in all the growing stages of the parasite and lysosome‐like vesicles were observed, showing a structure very similar to those of the coated vesicles of a true Golgi complex. The presence of these organelles are in favor of the existence of a lysosomal system and of the endogenicity of some enzymes involved hemoglobin degradation.