Down-regulation of TbVCL1, TbVCL2 and TbVCL3 by tetracycline-induced RNAi and its effect on parasite growth.

<p>Growth of procyclic parasites in absence (open circles) and presence (squares) of 1μg / mL tetracycline was monitored for 10 days. Induction of RNAi against TbVCL1 (A), TbVCL2 (B) or TbVCL3 (C) showed no growth retardation. All data points represent means from three independent experiments. (D) mRNA levels of TbVCL1, TbVCL2 and TbVCL3 were determined by qRT-PCR 48 h post induction. All values were normalized to mRNA level of the respective RNAi-target in non-induced cells (n = 3; mean ± SD). Horizontal striped bars represent the results using TbVCL1-specific primers, diagonal striped bars represent the results using TbVCL2-specific primers and dotted bars represent the results using TbVCL3-specific primers.