Mutant/mutation
The mutant lacks expression of MTRAP.

Protein (function)
The protein has been identified in an analysis to identify proteins associated with osmiophilic bodies of gametocytes (using a BioID approach of the osmiophilic body protein MDV1/PEG3; see additional information).

Phenotype
Normal numbers of gametocytes are produced. Male and female gametocytes show a defect in egress from the host erythrocyte. Mutant males gametes are trapped within the RBC yet motile. No ookinetes are formed in vitro. No oocyst production in A. stephensi mosquitoes

Additional information
This mutant is identified in a study aiming at identifying 'gametocyte regressome', i.e. proteins that are released when Plasmodium gametes escape from their host reythrocyte. For the release of mature extracellular gametes two membrane barriers - the parasite parasitophorous vacuole membrane and the host red blood cell membrane - need to be dissolved. Membrane lysis occurs after the release of proteins from specialized secretory vesicles including osmiophilic bodies.
The identified Plasmodium gametocyte egressome includes the proteins released by the parasite during the lysis of the parasitophorous vacuole membrane and red blood cell membrane. BioID of the osmiophilic body protein MDV1/PEG3 revealed a proteome of these gametocyte-specific secretory vesicles. For bioID the mutated biotin ligase BirA* from Escherichia coli was fused to MDV1/PEG3. BioID relies on the fusion of a protein of interest with a mutated BirA ligase (BirA*) that in the presence of excess biotin biotinylates nearby proteins, which can be purified by affinity chromatography using streptavidin.
Fluorescent protein tagging and gene deletion approaches were employed to validate and identify a set of novel factors essential for this lysis and egress process.

Other mutants
See this link for other mutants generated in this study
RMgm-1489: a mutant expressing a GFP-tagged version of MTRAP