\" Disruption of pfap2-g2 does not impact asexual development, but the majority of sexual parasites are unable to mature beyond stage III gametocytes. The absence of pfap2-g2 leads to overexpression of 28% of the genes bound by PfAP2-G2 and none of the PfAP2-G2 bound genes are downregulated, suggesting that it is a repressor. We also find that PfAP2-G2 interacts with chromatin remodeling proteins, a microrchidia (MORC) protein, and another ApiAP2 protein (PF3D7_1139300). Overall our data demonstrate that PfAP2-G2 establishes an essential gametocyte maturation program in association with other chromatin-related proteins.\"

\"The knockout of PfAP2-G2 led to a ~95% decrease in the number of mature gametocytes with a more substantial influence on the production and maturation of the male gametocytes, resulting in a higher female/male gametocyte ratio. \"

Strongly reduced gametocyte production; absence of (male) gametocyte production (exflagellation).

No mature male or female gametocytes are formed. No exflagellation. Evidence is presented that sexually committed parasites (trophozoites) are formed within red blood cells but that these parasites abort development before morphological features of sexual differentiation are visible at the light-microscopic level.

No mature male or female gametocytes are formed. No exflagellation. Evidence is presented that sexually committed parasites (trophozoites) are formed within red blood cells but that these parasites abort development before morphological features of sexual differentiation are visible at the light-microscopic level.

Reduced gametocyte production (95% reduction).

few gametocytes formed

Strongly reduced gametocyte production; absence of (male) gametocyte production (exflagellation). No ookinete production

No mature male or female gametocytes are formed. No exflagellation. No oocysts are formed.

No mature male or female gametocytes are formed. No exflagellation. No oocysts are formed.

Reduced gametocyte production (95% reduction). No mosquito transmission was observed

Strongly reduced gametocyte production; absence of (male) gametocyte production (exflagellation). No ookinete production. No oocyst production.

No mature male or female gametocytes are formed. No exflagellation. No oocysts are formed.

No mature male or female gametocytes are formed. No exflagellation. No oocysts are formed.

few gametocytes formed; few oocyst produced