The Application of Ultrastructure Expansion Microscopy Reveals the Apical Microtubule Architecture of Babesia - PubMed
5 hours ago
- #Apicomplexan Parasites
- #Cellular Architecture
- #Ultrastructure Expansion Microscopy
- Ultrastructure Expansion Microscopy (U-ExM) was used to study Babesia divergens, a tick-transmitted apicomplexan parasite.
- U-ExM revealed a previously unknown apical tubulin rosette (ATRo) at the parasite's apical pole, consisting of 6-7 radial spines.
- The ATRo is structurally distinct from similar features in related parasites like Toxoplasma and Plasmodium.
- U-ExM achieved 4.3-fold isotropic expansion, enabling nanoscale visualization with conventional fluorescence and confocal microscopy.
- This method offers resolution comparable to transmission electron microscopy but with easier preparation, higher throughput, and compatibility with proteomic markers.
- The findings establish U-ExM as a powerful tool for exploring Babesia ultrastructure, invasion mechanisms, and potential therapeutic targets.