Mutant/mutation
The mutant expresses a mutated form of CDPK4, CDPK4^S147M (and is drug-selectable marker free).

Protein (function)
CDPK4 belongs to an expanded family of Ca²⁺ dependent protein kinases (CDPKs). CDPKs combine an amino-terminal serine/threonine kinase domain and a carboxy-terminal calmodulin-like domain, composed of four EF hands, in the same molecule. In plants, CDPKs translate Ca²⁺ signals generated by external stimuli into cellular responses, thereby regulating cell division and differentiation, the development of tolerance to stress stimuli and the specific defense responses to pathogens.

CDPK4 plays a role in male gamete formation after activation of male gametes. It plays a role in male gametocytes axoneme formation, formation of mitotic spindles and DNA synthesis. Evidence has been presented for an additional role in sporozoites: reduced invasion of hepatocytes (RMgm-1510).  See PF3D7_0717500 for other CDPK4 mutants

Phenotype
CDPK4 plays a role in male gamete formation after activation of male gametes. No exflagellation occurs in male gametocytes lacking expression of CDPK4. The CDPK4 inhibitor 1294 inhibits exflagellation (at a concentration of 1µM). The mutant expressing the mutated form of CDPK4, CDPK4^S147M showed a ~50-fold decrease in exflagellation susceptibility to 1294.
In this study the inhibitor 1294 is used to analyse the role of CDPK4 during male gametogenesis.

Additional information

Other mutants
See PF3D7_0717500 for other CDPK4 mutants