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Fig. 8 | BMC Biology

Fig. 8

From: Genetic impairment of parasite myosin motors uncovers the contribution of host cell membrane dynamics to Toxoplasma invasion forces

Fig. 8

A PM tunnel folds when the ΔMyoA tachyzoite is attached to the cell surface through a TJ and is supported by a cap of newly assembled F-actin enriched in myosin II. a–c Laser scan confocal micrographs of ΔMyoA zoites in contact with HFF and HBMEC cells. Samples were fixed and processed for double or triple immunofluorescence staining with (a), anti-RON4 antibodies (red) and phalloidin (green): note the RON-positive TJ (red arrow) and the F-actin cup underneath the zoite (green arrow); (b, c), anti-P30 antibodies (blue) prior to permeabilization to selectively label surface-exposed antigens and with (b) anti-myosin II antibodies (red) and phalloidin (green) or (c) anti-Arp2/3 antibodies after cell permeabilization: note the accumulation of myosin II (b, red arrows) and F-actin (b, green arrows) at the bases of PM tubes while F-actin and the Arp2/3 complex also spread throughout the PM tube (c, red arrows). All scale bars: 5 μm. d Scanning electron micrograph of a ΔMyoA tachyzoite interacting with an ARPE-19 cell; note the impressive several micrometer-sized thin host cell PM tube-like protrusion indicated with white arrows into which the apical end of the parasite is embedded (white arrowhead). Scale bar: 1 μm

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