Mutant/mutation
Selection of knock-out mutants was unsuccessful when transfected parasites were grown and selected in BALB/c mice. In C57Bl6 mice pyrimethamine-resistant populations were selected. PCR analyses provided evidence for disruption of the FH-gene. The mutants were not cloned and further analysed for phenotypes. These experiments may provide some evidence that FH is not essential for blood stage growth.

Protein (function)
Plasmodium has an iron-sulfur cluster–containing class I fumarate hydratase (FH) that catalyzes the interconversion of fumarate to malate, a well-known reaction in the tricarboxylic acid cycle.
Fumarate is generated in large quantities in the parasite as a byproduct of AMP synthesis and is converted to malate by FH and then used in the generation of the key metabolites oxaloacetate, aspartate, and pyruvate.

Phenotype
Selection of knock-out mutants was unsuccessful when transfected parasites were grown and selected in BALB/c mice. In C57Bl6 mice pyrimethamine-resistant populations were selected. PCR analyses provided evidence for disruption of the FH-gene. The mutants were not cloned and further analysed for phenotypes. These experiments may provide some evidence that FH is not essential for blood stage growth.

Additional information
Evidence is provided for mitochondrial localisation of FH

Other mutants