PfAlbas localize to perinuclear foci in ring stages and expand to the cytoplasm in mature forms. (A) Immunofluorescence analysis of PfAlba1, PfAlba2 and Pfalba4 distribution throughout the parasite life cycle (Rings, Trophozoites, Schizonts). The anti-PfAlba antibodies (Ab 74–2 for PfAlba1; Ab 233 for PfAlba2; Ab 237–2 for PfAlba4) were used at 5.5, 4.5 and 8 mg/ml, respectively. Anti-rabbit Alexa-488 secondary antibodies (Molecular Probes) were used at a dilution of 1:500. Scale bars represent 1 mm. (B) Immunofluorescence analysis of 3D7 Rings, Trophozoites and Schizonts stained with anti-PfAlba4 (red) and anti-PfSir2 (green) antibodies. Scale bar represents 1 mm.Chêne A, Vembar SS, Rivière L, Lopez-Rubio JJ, Claes A, Siegel TN, Sakamoto H, Scheidig-Benatar C, Hernandez-Rivas R, Scherf A. PfAlbas constitute a new eukaryotic DNA/RNA-binding protein family in malaria parasites. Nucleic Acids Res. 2012 40(7):3066-77

C-terminally tagged PfAlba1-Ty1 was successfully expressed from an episome in P. falciparum asexual blood stages. Immunofluorescence assays were used to determine the localization of PfAlba1-Ty1 in trophozoite (T) and schizont (S) stages of PfAlba1-Ty1 parasites. Empty vector transfectants served as a negative control. Antibodies used included mouse anti-Ty1 (green) or anti-PfAlba1 (red). Nuclei were labeled with DAPI (blue). Scale bar represents 1 μM. PfAlba1-Ty1 was predominantly cytoplasmic as was described for native PfAlba1.Vembar SS, Macpherson CR, Sismeiro O, Coppée JY, Scherf A. The PfAlba1 RNA-binding protein is an important regulator of translational timing in Plasmodium falciparum blood stages. Genome Biol. 2015 16:212. PMID: 26415947