Fractionation ofPlasmodium chabaudi-infected erythrocytes into parasites and ghosts

Abstract
We have developed a new procedure for subfractionation ofPlasmodium chabaudi-infected erythrocytes into parasites and ghosts. Trophozoite-infected erythrocytes enriched over a percoll-step (ϱ: 1.10 g/cm3) are subjected to a glycerol-enhanced osmotic shock. This induces the release of parasites and the emergence of erythrocyte ghosts, which can be separated on a continuous percoll gradient (ϱ: 1.02→1.10 g/cm3). The parasites are intact in terms of ultrastructure and incorporation of14C-isoleucine. The erythrocyte ghosts are purified over a two-step percoll gradient (ϱ:1.01–1.02 g/cm3). Our method recovers about 40%–50% of the initial ghosts and 70%–95% of the initially freed parasites.

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