Fig. 2

The TgUSP and TgGWD deletion strains displayed altered amylopectin metabolism. a Schematic illustration of the constriction of the Δusp or Δgwd mutant by CRISPR/CAS9-mediated homologous gene replacement in ME49. b Diagnostic PCRs on Δusp or Δgwd clones. c PAS staining to detect the amylopectin contents in parasites, which were cultured under normal tachyzoite growth conditions for 24 h or bradyzoite-inducing conditions (pH 8.2 and ambient CO₂) for 4 days. The samples were stained with anti-TgALD, DBA-FITC, PAS, and Hoechst, to visualize parasites, the cyst wall, amylopectin granules and nuclei, respectively