Colocalization studies. PfSCD-GFP was colocalized with different compartment markers: ER (PfBip, PfDSI), cis-Golgi (PfERD2), mitochondria (MitoTracker Red), and apicoplast (PfACP PFB0385w). PfSCD-GFP colocalized mostly with PfBiP and PfDSI (disulfide isomerase), two soluble ER markers, therefore confirming the ER localization of PfSCD-GFP. In contrast, the GFP-tagged PfSCD protein did not colocalize with ERD2, a known marker of the cis-Golgi.Gratraud P, Huws E, Falkard B, Adjalley S, Fidock DA, Berry L, Jacobs WR Jr, Baird MS, Vial H, Kremer L. Oleic acid biosynthesis in Plasmodium falciparum: characterization of the stearoyl-CoA desaturase and investigation as a potential therapeutic target. PLoS One. 2009 4(9):e6889.

Direct fluorescence assays of PfSCD-GFP-expressing P. falciparum parasites (strain Dd2attB::Pfscd-gfp) with GFP (green), ER Tracker (red), and nuclear staining with Hoechst 33342 (blue). Images represent various stages of the erythrocytic cycle, respectively from top to bottom: early trophozoite, late trophozoite and segmented schizont. In most parasites, the green fluorescence surrounded the nucleus of the parasite stained in blue with Hoechst H33342. This distribution is typical of the nuclear envelope and is considered as the main ER compartment in Plasmodium.Gratraud P, Huws E, Falkard B, Adjalley S, Fidock DA, Berry L, Jacobs WR Jr, Baird MS, Vial H, Kremer L. Oleic acid biosynthesis in Plasmodium falciparum: characterization of the stearoyl-CoA desaturase and investigation as a potential therapeutic target. PLoS One. 2009 4(9):e6889.