Mutant/mutation
The mutant lacks expression of LAP3.

Protein (function)
The lap3 (ccp5) gene is a member of a small conserved gene family, encoding proteins with multiple adhesive domains, for example a Lgl1 (LCCL)-lectin adhesive domain. In P. falciparum the LCCL domain-containing proteins are termed PfCCp's and in P. berghei PbLAP's.
Analysis of the location of a mutant (RMgm-356) expressing a GFP-tagged LAP3 by fluorescence microscopy and immunoelectronmicroscopy shows that the protein is expressed in gametocytes and ookinetes and is associated with crystalloids in the ookinetes. Crystalloids are transient organelles that form in developing ookinetes and disappear after ookinete-to-oocyst transition. Plasmodium crystalloids are cytoplasmic aggregations of closely packed spherical particles 25–35 nm in diameter. In P. berghei, haemozoin-containing vacuoles accumulate around the edges of the crystalloid inclusion bodies.

Phenotype
Phenotype analyses indicate that LAP3 is essential for formation of crystalloid bodies in the ookinete. In addition, these analyses indicate that LAP3 plays a major role in the formation of sporozoites inside oocysts,

Additional information

Phenotype analyses of mutants lacking expression of different members of the LCCL domain-containing protein family (for example see LAP1/CCp3 RMgm-113, RMgm-114; LAP2/CCp1 RMgm-118, RMgm-121; LAP4/CCp2 RMgm-119; LAP6; CCp4 RMgm-120) indicate a role of several these proteins during oocyst development and sporozoite formation/production.

Other mutants
RMgm-1249: The mutant expresses a GFP-tagged version of  an mutated form of LAP3. The entire LCCL domain of the endogenous lap3 gene is removed.
RMgm-356: A mutant expressing a GFP-tagged LAP3