Similarities between the VAC compartment of T. gondii and the digestive vacuole of Plasmodium. In addition to the presence of CRT family proteins, both the VAC and digestive vacuole contain cathepsin-like cysteine proteases, such as the Plasmodium falcipains, TgCPL and TgCPB. Both compartments are acidic, with this acidity maintained through the function of a V-type H+-pumping ATPase (V-ATP). CQ, chloroquine; Hb, hemoglobin; Hz, hemozoin.