Mutant/mutation
The mutant lacks expression of SPM1.
Published in: bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.10.19.562943

Protein (function)
SPM1 encodes a 329 amino acid putative subpellicular microtubule (SPM) protein predicted to contain a microtubule associated protein 6 (MAP6) domain. Microtubule inner proteins, MIPs, are microtubule associated proteins that bind to tubulin from the luminal side.

Phenotype
No phenotype different from wild type was detected throughout the complete life cycle. Sporozoite production and gliding motility of sporozoites also similar to wild type parasites.This phenotype is different from another mutant lacking expression of SPM1 (5349), with reduced (57%) salivary gland sporozoite numbers.

Additional information
From the paper: 'From the paper: Microtubule inner proteins, MIPs, are microtubule associated proteins that bind to tubulin from the luminal side. Here we investigate the role of four MIPs in a rodent malaria parasite for their role in transmission to and from the mosquito. We show by single and double gene deletions that SPM1 and TrxL1, MIPs associated with the subpellicular microtubules are dispensable for transmission from the vertebrate host to the mosquito and back. In contrast, FAP20 and FAP52, MIPs associated with the axonemes of gametes, are essential for transmission to mosquitoes but only if both genes are deleted. In the absence of both, FAP20 and FAP52 the B-tubule of the axoneme partly detaches from the A-tubule resulting in the deficiency of axonemal beating and hence gamete formation and egress. Our data suggest that a high level of redundancy ensures microtubule stability in the transmissive stages of Plasmodium'.

Other mutants