PfAP2Tel localizes to telomeric foci at the nuclear periphery of blood stage parasites in vivo. B) Immunofluorescence assays were performed with anti-PfAP2Tel antibodies (red) in ring (R) and schizont (S) stage P. falciparum parasites. Nuclear DNA was stained with DAPI (blue). Confirmed nuclear distribution of PfAP2Tel. PfAP2Tel localized to the nuclear periphery as discrete foci; this pattern was especially evident in the schizont stage. C) Immunofluorescence assays with anti-PfAP2Tel antibodies (green) were combined with DNA Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of telomere ends (red) in ring (R) stage parasites. Nuclear DNA was stained with DAPI (blue). For B and C, scale bars indicate 5 μm (Rings) and 1 μm (Schizonts). PfAP2Tel co-localized with telomeric clusters at the nuclear periphery 80% of the time (N=50 cells). Overall, these results show that PfAP2Tel localizes to a compartment similar to telomeric clusters throughout the parasite blood stage life cycle.Sierra-Miranda M, Vembar SS, Delgadillo DM, Ávila-López PA, Vargas M, Hernandez-Rivas R. PfAP2Tel, harbouring a non-canonical DNA-binding AP2 domain, binds to Plasmodium falciparum telomeres. Cell Microbiol. 2017 [Epub ahead of print]