First Characterization of the Dense Granule Protein GRA9.

The obligate intracellular apicomplexan parasite is closely related to . The dense granules, which are present in all apicomplexan parasites, are important secretory organelles. Dense granule (GRA) proteins are released into the parasitophorous vacuole (PV) following host cell invasion and are known to play important roles in the maintenance of the host-parasite relationship and in the acquisition of nutrients.

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase is involved in defense against Neospora caninum in human and bovine cells.

Neospora caninum is an apicomplexan parasite closely related to Toxoplasma gondii. In nature this parasite is found especially in dogs and cattle, but it may also infect other livestock. The growth of N.