| Successful modification | The parasite was generated by the genetic modification |
| The mutant contains the following genetic modification(s) |
Gene disruption
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| Reference (PubMed-PMID number) |
Reference 1 (PMID number) : 19136003
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| MR4 number |
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| Parent parasite used to introduce the genetic modification |
| Rodent Malaria Parasite | P. berghei |
| Parent strain/line | P. berghei ANKA |
| Name parent line/clone |
P. berghei ANKA 2.34
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| Other information parent line | P. berghei ANKA 2.34 is a cloned, gametocyte producer line of the ANKA strain (PubMed: PMID: 15137943). |
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| The mutant parasite was generated by |
| Name PI/Researcher | K. Lal; R.E. Sinden |
| Name Group/Department | The Division of Cell and Molecular Biology |
| Name Institute | Imperial College London |
| City | London |
| Country | UK |
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| Name of the mutant parasite |
| RMgm number | RMgm-231 |
| Principal name | ∆mdv-1 |
| Alternative name | |
| Standardized name | |
| Is the mutant parasite cloned after genetic modification | Yes |
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| Phenotype |
| Asexual blood stage | Not different from wild type |
| Gametocyte/Gamete | Normal or slightly reduced gametocyte production. The ratio male to female gametocytes in the mutant is comparable to that in wild type. The proportion of macrogametes which activate to express Pb28 on the surface is significantly reduced (27% of wild-type). Slightly reduced male gametocyte exflagellation. |
| Fertilization and ookinete | Strongly reduced ookinete production (11-17% of wild type). |
| Oocyst | Strongly reduced oocyst formation (10% of wild type numbers). |
| Sporozoite | Strongly reduced sporozoite production (28% of wild type numbers). Sporozoites were infective to mice. |
| Liver stage | Not different from wild type |
| Additional remarks phenotype | Mutant/mutation
The mutant lacks expression of MDV-1/PEG3.
Protein (function)
The protein is a gametocyte specific protein and has been named in P. falciparum MDV-1 (male development gene 1) or PEG3. In P. falciparum gametocytes the protein is associated with the osmiophilic bodies, the parasite membrane and all membranous compartments derived from the parasitophorous vacuole membrane. P. falciparum parasites lacking expression of MDV-1/PEG3 were affected in their capacity to produce functional gametocytes, which were unable to be transmitted through mosquitoes.
Phenotype
The phenotype analyses indicate a role of MDV during gamete formation, fertilisation and ookinete development.
Additional information
Analyses of protein localisation using IFA indicate a osmiophilic body location of MDV-1/PEG3 in both male and female gametocytes. MDV-1/PEG3 was also observed in zygotes and ookinetes.
Independent mutants lacking expression of MDV-1/PEG3 has been described (RMgm-282, RMgm-283) which showed a slightly different phenotype. The phenotype analyses of these mutants indicate that the lack of expression of MDV-1/PEG3 strongly impairs fertilisation and ookinete formation and that the decreased fertilisation rate results from a strongly reduced capacity of both male and female gametocytes/gametes to egress from their host erythrocytes. Evidence is presented that MDV-1/PEG3 plays a role in disruption of the parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM) and the erythrocyte membrane.
Other mutants
RMgm-282: A mutant lacking expression of MDV-1/PEG3. This mutant expresses GFP in male gametocytes/gametes and RFP in female gametocytes/gametes/zygotes.
RMgm-283: A mutant lacking expression of MDV-1/PEG3.
RMgm-251: A mutant expressing GFP under the control of the MDV-1/PEG3 promoter.
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*RMgm-231
