Upper panel: Expression and localisation of PfCK2α in NF54/AP2-G-mScarlet/CK2α-GFP parasites. a Expression and localisation of PfCK2α-GFP in ring, trophozoite and schizont stage parasites by live cell fluorescence imaging. Representative images are shown. Nuclei were stained with Hoechst. DIC, differential interference contrast. Scale bar = 5 μm. Lower panel: PfCK2α depletion in NF54/AP2-G-mScarlet/CK2α-GFPDD parasites has no effect on asexual parasite multiplication. a Expression of PfCK2α-GFPDD in schizonts cultured in presence (+Shield-1) and absence (−Shield-1) of Shield-1 by live cell fluorescence imaging and Western blot analysis. Parasites were split (±Shield-1) 40 h before sample collection. Representative images are shown. Nuclei were stained with Hoechst. DIC, differential interference contrast. Scale bar = 5 μm. In the NF54/AP2-G-mScarlet/CK2α-GFPDD conditional knockdown (cKD) line, the functionality of the cKD system to regulate PfCK2α expression was confirmed by live cell fluorescence imaging, showing a substantial reduction of PfCK2α protein levels upon removal of Shield-1 (−Shield-1).

Hitz E, Grüninger O, Passecker A, Wyss M, Scheurer C, Wittlin S, Beck HP, Brancucci NMB, Voss TS. The catalytic subunit of Plasmodium falciparum casein kinase 2 is essential for gametocytogenesis. Commun Biol. 2021 Mar 12;4(1):336.