Mutant/mutation
The mutant lacks expression of SLARP and expresses the fusion protein GFP-luciferase under the control of the eef1a promoter.  The parasites have been generated and selected using the GOMO method of transfection (see RMgm-1027 for more details for this transfection method and the construct used)

Protein (function)
SLARP is a conserved Plasmodium gene that is specifically expressed at pre-erythrocytic stages and is required for parasite development in the liver. SLARP-deficient sporozoites injected into susceptible mice cannot convert into blood stages in vivo.The SLARP protein is expressed in sporozoites and in early liver stages and is involved in the regulation of transcription.

Phenotype
The phenotype has not been analysed in detail. See also the  link slarp for other mutants lacking expression of SLARP

Intravital imaging of bioluminescent parasites was used to analyse the fate of Δslarp P. berghei sporozoites in vivo after intravenous inoculation into C57BL/6 mice. Control Δp230p-GFP-LUC parasites were readily detectable in the liver of infected mice 24 h after injection of sporozoites, and the signal further increased at 48 h. All mice developed a patent parasitemia, as shown by positive Giemsa-stained blood smears and diffusion of the luminescence signal in the entire mouse body at day 4 post-infection. In sharp contrast, mice injected with Δslarp-GFP-LUC showed no luminescence signal above background at any of the time points examined, and none of the animals became patent, in total agreement with published data showing that Δslarp P. berghei sporozoites fail to convert into blood stages.

Additional information
The parasites are selected by a combination of positive selection (pyrimethamine), negative selection (5-FC) and FACS sorting (GOMO transfection; 'Gene Out Marker Out'; see mutant RMgm-1027 for more details for this transfection method and the construct used).

Other mutants
See the link slarp