Additional remarks phenotype | Mutant/mutation
The mutant expresses a GFP-tagged form of Inner membrane complex protein 1h (IMC1h) under the control of its own promoter
Protein (function)
The imcb1h gene belongs to small 'family' of conserved genes that express putative membrane skeleton proteins which contain domains that share sequence homology to domains of articulins, proteins of membrane skeleton of free-living protists and show homology to the inner membrane complex protein 1 (TgIMC1) of the subpellicular network of Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites (Khater, E.I., et al. 2004, J. Cell. Biol. 167, 425-32) . In Plasmodium eight conserved IMC1 protein family members have been identified, named IMC1a-IMC1h. Two of these, IMC1a and IMC1b, were shown to be differentially expressed in sporozoites and ookinetes, respectively, and to form part of their pellicle structures in P. berghei. IMC1a and IMC1b are structurally and functionally homologous and involved in parasite morphology, mechanical strength, gliding motility and infectivity, in accordance with their roles as membrane skeleton proteins (see also mutanst RMgm-147 and RMgm-148 lacking expression of IMC1b and IMC1a). IMC1h, is found in the pellicle of both ookinetes and sporozoites (see below) and plays a role in in morphology/shape of ookinetes and sporozoites and in motility of both stages (see mutant RMgm-601 which lacks expression of IMC1h and mutant RMgm-602 which lacks expression of both IMC1h and IMC1b .
Phenotype
Strong GFP-fluorescence in ookinetes, sporulating oocysts and sporozoites, but no fluorescence in blood stage parasites. In ookinetes as well as in sporozoites the majority of the GFP-fluorescence was found at the periphery of the cells. These observations are supportive of a pellicular localisation of IMC1h in ookinetes and sporozoites, consistent with its predicted function as a membrane skeleton protein.
See also mutant RMgm-601 which lacks expression of IMC1h and mutant RMgm-602 which lacks expression of both IMC1h and IMC1b .
Additional information
Other mutants
RMgm-147: A mutant lacking expression of IMC1b
RMgm-148: A mutant lacking expression of IMC1a
RMgm-163: A mutant expressing a GFP-tagged form of IMC1b
RMgm-601: A mutant lacking expression of IMC1h
RMgm-602: A mutant lacking expression of both IMC1h and IMC1b |