Figure 2.

Inhibition of autophagy and hydrolytic activity maintain cruzipain in the homogeneous distribution. (A) Immunofluorescence analysis of cruzipain distribution in epimastigotes (Y WT strain) exposed to the first stage of metacyclogenesis under BHT and TAU treatment with or without the addition of autophagy inhibitors (Baf or Wort) or broad-spectrum protease inhibitors (Prot Inh). Parasites’ boundaries are depicted by white dashed lines. Scale bars: 5 µm. (B) Quantification of the relative number of parasites that present some of the cruzipain distribution patterns (Anterior, Posterior, or Homogeneous) according to the treatment with inhibitors at the end of the first stage of metacyclogenesis. Data are shown as the mean of three independent experiments. A total of 50 parasites per group for each experiment were quantified