The effect of proteases and iodination on the adherent behaviour of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes

SUMMARYPlasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes were treated with proteases (trypsin, chymotrypsin, pronase, or V8 protease) or iodinated and the effect of these treatments on the cytoadherent behaviour of the cells was determined. As previously observed, protease treatment reduced cytoadherence. However, it was also found that the P. falciparum-induced adhesin, pfalhesin, was not removed by protease treatment. Gelatin flotation experiments and scanning electron microscopical examination of the treated cells indicated that protease exposure resulted in changes in the knob structures on the cells, which are known to affect the adherent behaviour of the cells. Iodination was found to be an effective method of inactivating pfalhesin.

The ultrastructure and immunogold labelling of pancreatic polypeptide-immunoreactive cells associated with the egg-forming apparatus of a monogenean parasite, Diclidophora merlangi

An electron microscopical examination has been made of the fine structure and disposition of pancreatic polypeptide immunoreactive cells associated with the egg-forming apparatus in Diclidophora merlangi. The cell bodies are positioned in the parenchyma surrounding the ootype and taper to axon-like processes that extend to the ootype wall. The terminal regions of these processes branch and anastomose and, in places, the swollen endings or varicosities form synaptic appositions with the muscle fibres in the ootype wall. The cells are characterized by an extensive GER-Golgi system that is involved in the assembly and packaging of dense-cored vesicles. The vesicles accumulate in the axons and terminal varicosities, and their contents were found to be immunoreactive with antisera raised to the C-terminal hexapeptide amide of pancreatic polypeptide. It is concluded that the cells are neurosecretory in appearance and that, functionally, their secretions may serve to regulate ootype motility and thereby help co-ordinate egg production in the worm.

Pseudomonas bacteriophage contains an inner body in its capsid

Electron microscopical examination of the new virulent bacteriophage [Formula: see text], specific for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, has revealed an unusual structure in its capsid. In the center of the phage head is a cylinder of low electron density ("inner body"), surrounded by fibrous material which is packed around the inner body in a spoollike manner. The inner body itself has a springlike appearance. These structures disappear after adsorption of phage particles to bacteria. Various morphological forms, which can be interpreted as intermediate steps in [Formula: see text] DNA condensation, have been seen in ultrathin sections of [Formula: see text]-infected cells.