Does a Histidine‐Rich Protein from Plasmodium lophurae Have a Function in Merozoite Penetration?*

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Abstract
SYNOPSIS. Autoradiography was used to localize the distribution of l‐[3H]histidine incorporated in vitro by developing segmenters of Plasmodium lophurae. Under conditions used for the visualization of high specific activity loci, radioactivity appeared associated mainly with the histidine‐rich protein of cytoplasmic granules as well as with rhoptries and micronemes of merozoites. The isolated histidine‐rich protein caused agglutination of erythrocytes and increased their osmotic fragility. Based on the observed evidence suggesting the presence of this histidine‐rich protein in the polar organelles of merozoites and its reactivity with erythrocyte membranes, the hypothesis that such a protein may have a function in the penetration of merozoites is proposed.