| Successful modification | The parasite was generated by the genetic modification |
| The mutant contains the following genetic modification(s) |
Gene disruption
|
| Reference (PubMed-PMID number) |
Reference 1 (PMID number) : 20386715
|
| MR4 number |
|
| top of page |
| 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 cl15cy1
|
| Other information parent line | A reference wild type clone from the ANKA strain of P. berghei (PubMed: PMID: 17406255). |
| top of page |
| The mutant parasite was generated by |
| Name PI/Researcher | M.R. van Dijk; C.J. Janse |
| Name Group/Department | Leiden Malaria Research Group |
| Name Institute | Leiden University Medical Center |
| City | Leiden |
| Country | The Netherlands |
| top of page |
| Name of the mutant parasite |
| RMgm number | RMgm-353 |
| Principal name | 261cl1; 276cl1 |
| Alternative name | Δp36 |
| Standardized name | |
| Is the mutant parasite cloned after genetic modification | Yes |
| top of page |
| Phenotype |
| Asexual blood stage | Not different from wild type |
| Gametocyte/Gamete | Not different from wild type |
| Fertilization and ookinete | Not different from wild type |
| Oocyst | Not different from wild type |
| Sporozoite | Not different from wild type |
| Liver stage | See remarks below ('Phenotype') |
| Additional remarks phenotype | Mutant/mutation
The mutant lacks expression of the P36 protein.
Protein (function)
The P36 protein is a member of a small family of proteins, the 6-cysteine (cys) family of (surface) proteins. The proteins are characterized by domains of roughly 120 amino acids in size that contain six positionally conserved cysteines (6-cys). Although some species of Plasmodium (may) contain unique members of the 6-cys family, ten members have been identified that are conserved both in structure as well as in genome organization throughout the genus. Some of the conserved 6-cys proteins are encoded by genes that form paralogous gene-pairs which are closely linked in the genome separated by less then 2 kb of intergenic region. Most members have a GPI anchor and are predicted membrane surface proteins whereas others appear to be secreted and most members are expressed in a discrete stage-specific manner in gametocytes, sporozoites or merozoites (see also 'Additional Information'). Evidence has been presented that P36 is expressed both in gametocytes and in sporozoites.
Phenotype
Phenotype analyses indicate that P36 is not essential during the complete life cycle. Gametocyte production, fertilisation, oocyst and sporozoite production were comparable to wild type parasites. Liver stage development was only analysed by measuring prepatent periods after feeding of infected mosquitoes on mice. No differences were observed in prepatent periods compared to wild type parasites. These observations are in contrast to observations made in an independent mutant lacking expression of P36 (RMgm-45). This mutant showed a strongly reduced sporozoite infectivity.
Additional information
The p36 gene forms a paralogous gene pair with the gene p36p (PB000891.00.0; PFD0215c), which are closely linked in the genome.
Table: P. falciparum gene members of the 6-cys family
| Gene |
P. falciparum |
Gene |
P. falciparum |
| p48/45 |
PF13_0247 |
p12p |
PFF0620c |
| p47 |
PF13_0248 |
p230p |
PFB0400w |
| p36 |
PFD0210c |
p230 |
PFB0405w |
| p52 |
PFD0215c |
p38 |
PFE0395c |
| p12 |
PFF0615c |
p41 |
PFD0240c |
Other mutants
RMgm-45: An independent P. berghei mutant lacking expression of P36.
A P. berghei mutant (RMgm-42) has been generated that lacks the expression of not only this protein but also its paralogue P36p (PB000891.00.0; p36p).
A P. yoelii mutant (RMgm-43) has been generated that lacks the expression of not only this protein but also its paralogue P36p (PY01340; p36p).
|
*RMgm-353
