Mutant/mutation
The mutant  expresses a (C-terminal) mCherry-tagged version of Schizont Membrane Associated Cytoadherence protein (SMAC). 

Protein (function)
The protein was detected in proteome analyses of mebranes of infected red blood cells. It is a predicted 19 kDa protein, it contains a signal sequence, a PEXEL motif (RFLVE) and a transmembrane domain. Orthologs are only found in the murine Plasmodium species. It is exported into the cytoplasm of the host erythrocyte (see below)

Phenotype
The blood stages of the smac::mCherry parasites showed strong mCherry-fluorescence in the cytoplasm of the host erythrocyte demonstrating export of SMAC into the host erythrocyte. In synchronized blood stages weak SMAC::mCherry was detected in the cytoplasm of developing trophozoites (5 to 12 h). Fluorescence increased in maturing trophozoites and schizonts with a patchy fluorescent signal in the cytoplasm of red blood cells infected with immature and mature schizonts. SMAC::mCherry was not observed at or close to the irbc surface membrane. Staining of  live SMAC::mCherry and wild type infected erythrocytes with anti-mCherry or anti-SMAC antibodies did not provide evidence for exposure of SMAC on the surface of infected erythrocytes.

Phenotype analyses of mutants lacking expression of SMAC (RMgm-661, RMgm-662) indicate that asexual blood stages show a reduced growth rate in mice (see 'Additional information').

Additional information
Phenotype analyses of mutants lacking SMAC-expression (RMgm-661, RMgm-662) indicate that that the reduced growth rate of blood stages in mice is not the result of a prolonged cell cycle (schizogony) or a reduced number of merozoites produced per schizont. Evidence is provided that parasites lacking SMAC-expression have a reduced capacity to adhere to the host receptor CD36 resulting in a strongly reduced CD36-mediated sequestration phenotype. The non-sequestering parasites have a reduced growth and evidence is provided that in addition to avoiding spleen removal other factors related to CD36-mediated sequestration are beneficial for parasite growth.

Other mutants
RMgm-661: A mutant lacking expression of SMAC
RMgm-662: An independent mutant lacking expression of SMAC