A green fluorescent protein-based assay for determining gametocyte production in Plasmodium falciparum

Study of the formation of the sexual blood stages of the malaria parasite has been significantly hampered by the absence of a reliable, reproducible assay devoid of operator bias and error. Here we report on the development of an assay utilizing a green fluorescent protein chimera of the early sexual blood stage protein Pfs16 as a marker for commitment to gametocytogenesis. Analysis of parasites via fluorescence activated cell sorting allows for the accurate assessment of gametocyte production well before morphological changes are apparent.