Mutant/mutation
The mutant expresses GFP under the control of the MDV-1/PEG3 promoter. The gfp gene is stably integrated into the non-essential c/d-type ssurrna gene.

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.
In P. berghei mutants lacking expression of MDV-1/PEG3 (RMgm-231, RMgm-282, RMgm-283) fertilisation and ookinete formation is strongly impaired. The phenotype analyses of these mutants indicate that the decreased fertilisation rate results from a strongly reduced capacity of both male and female gametocytes/gametes to egress from their host erythrocytes. These results indicate that MDV-1/PEG3 plays a role in disruption of the parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM) and the erythrocyte membrane.

Phenotype
No GFP expression in asexual blood stages. GFP expression in both male and female gametocytes with higher expression in females.

Additional information
IFA's using anti-MDV-1/PEG3 antibodies also showed higher expression levels in females compared to males.
The difference in GFP expression between males and female gametocytes allows for separation and counting of the two sexes using FACS (flow cytometry).
Immunoelectron microscope analysis showed an association of MDV-1/PEG3 with the osmiophilic bodies in female gametocytes.

Other mutants
RMgm-231: An independent mutant lacking expression of MDV-1/PEG3.
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.