A stage III and a IV gametocyte in a red blood cell? That's a first for a gametocytes culture newbie like me!

#Plasmodium 🧪

Look at these mero babies!

#Plasmodium #Malaria 🧪

Comparative genomics to identify xm5s2U34 biosythesis pathway enzymes in other apicoplast containing pathogens also show the presence of minimal xm5s2U34 pathway.

Previously, we reported enzymes required for s2U34, which can occur independently of xm5s2U34. In this body, we identified and characterized two other enzymes that are required for xm5U34 synthesis. Altogether, the apicoplast needs ONLY 4, the fewest, enzymes to make xm5s2U34.

Now, back to the story! The xm5s2U tRNA modifications are specifically important for the tRNAs with A or U ending anticodons in the shared codon boxes. The biosythesis requires 6 (B subtillis) to 12 (E coli) enzymes. What about in the apicoplast?