Mutant/mutation
The mutant lacks expression of RAP2/3 (and expresses GFP under control of the hsp70 promoter)

Protein (function)
In P. falciparum a low-molecular-weight protein complex, consisting of three non-covalently linked members, RAP1, RAP2 and RAP3 localises to the rhoptries (rhoptry bulb) of merozoites. RAP2 and RAP3 are encoded by adjacent genes, organised in a head to tail fashion. Both rap2 and rap3 show a high homology with the single copy, syntenic gene, rap2/3 of P. berghei.

Phenotype
Parasitemia in Δrap2/3 parasite-infected mice was similar to that in control-parasite-infected mice until day 7 p.i. About 50% of B6 mice infected with Δrap2/3 parasites showed cerebral complications and died in a similar manner to mice infected with Pb ANKA at days 7-10 p.i., but approximately 40% of the mice ultimately cleared the parasites by day 60 p.i.

Additional information

Other mutants

See link PBANKA_1101400  for other rap2/3 mutants (unsuccessful attempts to disrupt the rap2/3 gene and rap2/3 knock-out mutants with slow growing asexual blood stage phenotype)