Fig. 3. Gametocytogenesis and gametocyte morphology of the Δpfdozi parasite lines (K2 and K6).

a Daily gametocytemia of two Δpfdozi clones (K2 and K6), 3D7 control, and complementation in clone K6 from day 3 through day 12 after induction. Gametocytemia was determined by counting Giemsa-stained gametocytes under a microscope. Data are shown as mean ± SD from three replicates. Two-way ANOVA following Dunnett’s multiple comparisons test was employed for comparison, p-values are indicated above the plots. b Representative images of Giemsa-stained gametocytes in 3D7 and Δpfdozi (K2) parasites at different days after induction. Scale bar = 2 μm. Similar results were obtained from three biological repeats. c Representative images of Giemsa-stained gametocytes illustrating the average percentage of live and dead gametocytes in the Δpfdozi line K2 on days 6–8. Scale bar = 2 μm. Similar results were obtained from three biological repeats. d Representative transmission electron microscope images showing the cytoskeleton structure of gametocytes in 3D7 and Δpfdozi parasites. The insets are the enlarged portions of the subpellicular structure showing the presence and absence of the microtubules in 3D7 and the Δpfdozi gametocytes, respectively. Scale bars = 200 nm. Similar results were obtained from two biological repeats. e Microtubule organizations in stage II (i), III (ii), and IV (iii) gametocytes of 3D7 (left panel) and Δpfdozi (right panel), Scale bars = 2 μm. Parasites were labeled with the anti-β-tubulin antibodies, and nuclei were counter-stained with DAPI. Similar results were obtained from two biological repeats. f Bar graph showing the mean β-tubulin immunofluorescence intensity in 3D7 and Δpfdozi gametocytes at different stages. Error bars indicate the mean ± SD. Two-tailed unpaired t-test, (i) p = 0.0013, degrees of freedom (df) = 50, (ii) p < 0.0001, df=60, (iii) p < 0.0001, df = 61. Source data are provided as a Source Data file.