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Gamete development in malaria parasites: bicarbonate-dependent stimulation by pH in vitro

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

Mary M. Nijhout  and
Richard Carter
Mary M. Nijhout
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20014
Richard Carter
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20014
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Summary

Gametogenesis in Plasmodium gallinaceum involves bicarbonate-dependent processes and requires a continuous supply of glucose (presumably as an energy source). Emergence and exflagellation of gametocytes, in vitro, occur independently of the CO2 tension but are rigidly correlated with the pH of the external medium. In bicarbonate-saline gametogenesis is initiated only if the pH exceeds 7·7. Our results suggest that gamete development of malaria parasites is stimulated when infected blood is exposed to air because the decrease in the CO2 tension of the blood causes its pH to rise.

Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 76 , Issue 1 , February 1978 , pp. 39 - 53
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1978

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