Fig. 6

PbBrca2 is essential for sporogony. Ultrastructural analyses of WT and PbBrca2-KO1 oocytes at 7, 14, and 21 days post-infection. WT exhibited normal sporogony, whereas PbBrca2-KO1 oocysts were small and had indeterminate morphology (day 7). PbBrca2-KO1 parasites did not form sporozoites, and in some cases their oocysts shrank and became vacuolated (day 14). PbBrca2-KO1 oocysts showing notable shrinkage (day 21). Image parts delineated by white dotted lines (lower panels) are magnifications of image parts delineated by black dotted lines (upper panels). Arrowheads indicate abnormal parasite development. Scale bar = 1 μm. For abbreviations, see Figs. 1 and 2