Fig. 8.

Proposed model of crystalloid biogenesis in Plasmodium berghei. A single cell is depicted, which represents the transformation from gametocyte, via the zygote and ookinete, to oocyst. N, nucleus; ER, endoplasmic reticulum; CR, crystalloid. Key steps are indicated by numbers. Step 1: translation of the LCCL-lectin adhesive-like proteins (LAPs) in rough ER and translocation into ER lumen; Step 2: assembly of the LAP family members into a functional protein complex; Step 3: formation of the subunit vesicles at ER exit sites; Step 4: transport of the subunit vesicles to (typically two) assembly sites; Step 5: final merging of sub crystalloids into a single organelle in the oocyst.