Mutant/mutation
The mutant expresses a C-terminal GFP-tagged version of PP5. The GFP-tagged pp5 gene is introduced on episomes.

Protein (function)
Malaria parasites have homologues of all major human phosphoprotein phosphatase (PPP) subfamilies PP1 – PP7. Of the PPP subfamilies, PP5 differs from other phosphatases in possessing three N-terminal tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) domains, which are auto-inhibited and responsible for protein-protein interactions. Being expressed in virtually all mammalian systems, PP5 interacts with a number of proteins through its TPR domains to function as a modulator in multiple signaling pathways.

Phenotype
Analyses of a mutant lacking expression of PP5 (RMgm-4640) showed a role for PP5 in male gametocyte/gamete fertility (stronly reduced exflagellation centers and ookinete formation).

Analyses of the mutant expressing C-terminal GFP-tagged version PP5 showed that the PbPP5 protein was expressed in both blood stages and ookinetes with more prominent expression during sexual development. PbPP5 was localized in the cytoplasm of the parasite and highly concentrated beneath the parasite plasma membrane in free merozoites and ookinetes.

Additional information

Other mutants