On 2013 Dec 07, Gary Ward commented:

This is a descriptive study of the ultrastructure of the residual body (RB) formed during T. gondii replication, highlighting the continuity between the parasite cytosol and RB as well as the intravacuolar connections between parasites. The authors argue that the dense granule protein GRA2 plays a role in maintaining these connections.

The EM images confirm the presence of previously observed structures and organelles within the RB, including portions of the nucleus. It is unclear what is meant by the author’s statement that “Antibodies against SAG1, the parasite major surface protein, labelled the plasma membrane of proliferating parasites but not the RB membrane; probably the availability of the RB membrane was limited by the binding of the tachyzoites”. We were left wondering why the RB doesn't stain for SAG1 even though there is clearly membrane present.

Posted by Gary Ward on behalf of the University of Vermont Toxoplasma Journal Club (UVM ToxoJC); members include Jenna Foderaro, Anne Kelsen, Shruthi Krishnamurthy, Jacqueline Leung, Pramod Rompikuntal, Luke Tilley & Gary Ward

On 2013 Dec 07, Gary Ward commented:

This is a descriptive study of the ultrastructure of the residual body (RB) formed during T. gondii replication, highlighting the continuity between the parasite cytosol and RB as well as the intravacuolar connections between parasites. The authors argue that the dense granule protein GRA2 plays a role in maintaining these connections.

The EM images confirm the presence of previously observed structures and organelles within the RB, including portions of the nucleus. It is unclear what is meant by the author’s statement that “Antibodies against SAG1, the parasite major surface protein, labelled the plasma membrane of proliferating parasites but not the RB membrane; probably the availability of the RB membrane was limited by the binding of the tachyzoites”. We were left wondering why the RB doesn't stain for SAG1 even though there is clearly membrane present.

Posted by Gary Ward on behalf of the University of Vermont Toxoplasma Journal Club (UVM ToxoJC); members include Jenna Foderaro, Anne Kelsen, Shruthi Krishnamurthy, Jacqueline Leung, Pramod Rompikuntal, Luke Tilley & Gary Ward