Figure 3

Perturbation of parasite growth by BDQ. A Comparison of the invasion ability of DMSO- and BDQ-treated parasites. Fresh tachyzoites invaded the host cell and were exposed to DMSO or BDQ (10 μM). The invasion ratio was calculated as the number of PV divided by the total number of host cells in one horizon (n = 30). Data are the mean ± SD (error bars) of three independent experiments. B The effects of BDQ on intracellular replication of the parasite. Cell cultured tachyzoites were treated with 10 μM BDQ or DMSO for 24 h. In each assay, a total of 100 PV of each group were counted. Experiments were compiled from three separate assays. Asterisks indicate statistical significance. **** P < 0.0001. C, D Immunofluorescence assay of IMC and apicoplast. Tachyzoites (3 × 10⁵) were used to invade HFF monolayers seeded on coverslips and then treated with DMSO or BDQ (10 µM) for 20 h, respectively. IFA was used to visually observe the changes in tachyzoites. The shapes of the parasites were labeled with rabbit anti-GAP45 antibody, and antibodies against TgIMC1 and TgACP were used to mark IMC and apicoplast subcellular organelles. The nucleus was stained with Hoechst (bar = 5 µm).