Fig. 1.

Parasite-induced modifications to P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes. A. During intra-erythrocytic development, P. falciparum expresses knob structures and VSAs on the surface of pigmented trophozoite IEs. PfEMP1, P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1; RIFIN, repetitive interspersed family; STEVOR, subtelomeric variable open reading frame; SURFIN, surface-associated interspersed gene family; KAHRP, knob-associated histidine-rich protein. B. Scanning (left) and transmission (right) electron microscopy (EM) shows the ultrastructural features of the IE membrane. The IE membrane is distorted by surface knob protrusions (arrows) that present the major virulence factor, PfEMP1