Mutant/mutation
The mutant lacks expression of DJ1 and expresses GFP under control of the DJ1 promoter

Protein (function)
Malaria parasites encode a conserved protein which is named plasmoDJ1 on the basis of the presence of a putative cysteine protease motif of the DJ-1/PfpI superfamily. Proteins belonging to the DJ-1/PfpI superfamily of other organisms have been shown to protect from a variety of stresses, including oxidative, thermal and pH stress. All DJ-1/PfpI members share a region designated GATase1-DJ-1 (type 1 glutamine amidotransferase-DJ-1) or DJ-1_PfpI. This region contains a typical nucleophile elbow with a positionally conserved cysteine residue in structures of several DJ-1/PfpI proteins. Hence a large number of these proteins are predicted to be proteases and have been put in the peptidase family C56. Family members in other organisms have been shown to be involved in protection of (oxidative) stress, protease activity, chaparone and antioxidant activities

Phenotype
No detailed analyses of the growth(cycle) of mutant parasites. Infected Balb/c mice had lower parasitemias and prolonged survival time. These results indicate a decreased virulence. Reduced (2x) oocyst production. Sporozoites and liver stages have not been analysed.

Additional information
Evidence is presented that P. falciparum DJ1 has chaparone and protease activity (and expression increases in blood stages under 'stress' conditions)
Evidence for (diffuse) cytosolic localisation in all blood stages, including gametocytes.

Other mutants