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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2026

The Infiltration-centrifugation Technique for Extraction of Apoplastic Fluid from Plant Leaves Using Phaseolus vulgaris as an Example

The Infiltration-centrifugation Technique for Extraction of Apoplastic Fluid from Plant Leaves Using Phaseolus vulgaris as an Example

Published on: December 19, 2014

The apicoplast.

Geoffrey Ian McFadden¹

¹School of Botany, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia. gim@unimelb.edu.au

|December 18, 2010

Summary

Malaria and Toxoplasma parasites have a remnant organelle called the apicoplast, essential for survival. This review explores its discovery, function, and potential in developing new vaccines.

Area of Science:

Parasitology
Cell Biology
Biochemistry

Background:

Malaria and Toxoplasma parasites harbor a non-photosynthetic plastid, the apicoplast, a remnant of its plant chloroplast ancestor.
The apicoplast retains a circular genome and possesses biosynthetic pathways of cyanobacterial origin, indicating its evolutionary history.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the discovery, integration, function, and purpose of the apicoplast.
To highlight new insights into the apicoplast's fatty acid biosynthesis pathway.
To explore novel roles of the apicoplast in vaccine development.

Main Methods:

Literature review of existing research on the apicoplast.
Analysis of the apicoplast's genetic and biochemical characteristics.
Examination of studies related to apicoplast function and therapeutic targeting.

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Preparation of Chloroplast Sub-compartments from Arabidopsis for the Analysis of Protein Localization by Immunoblotting or Proteomics

Preparation of Chloroplast Sub-compartments from Arabidopsis for the Analysis of Protein Localization by Immunoblotting or Proteomics

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Last Updated: Jun 5, 2026

The Infiltration-centrifugation Technique for Extraction of Apoplastic Fluid from Plant Leaves Using Phaseolus vulgaris as an Example

The Infiltration-centrifugation Technique for Extraction of Apoplastic Fluid from Plant Leaves Using Phaseolus vulgaris as an Example

Published on: December 19, 2014

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Published on: July 5, 2024

Preparation of Chloroplast Sub-compartments from Arabidopsis for the Analysis of Protein Localization by Immunoblotting or Proteomics

Preparation of Chloroplast Sub-compartments from Arabidopsis for the Analysis of Protein Localization by Immunoblotting or Proteomics

Published on: October 19, 2018

Main Results:

The apicoplast is crucial for parasite survival, despite lacking photosynthesis.
Key biosynthetic pathways, including fatty acid synthesis, are retained within the apicoplast.
The apicoplast represents a promising target for novel anti-parasitic drug development and vaccine strategies.

Conclusions:

The apicoplast's unique biology makes it a vital organelle for parasites like Plasmodium (malaria) and Toxoplasma.
Understanding the apicoplast's pathways offers opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
Targeting the apicoplast holds significant potential for future vaccine development against parasitic diseases.