| Successful modification | The parasite was generated by the genetic modification |
| The mutant contains the following genetic modification(s) |
Gene tagging,
Introduction of a transgene
|
| Reference (PubMed-PMID number) |
Reference 1 (PMID number) : 22844474
|
| MR4 number |
|
| top of page |
| Parent parasite used to introduce the genetic modification |
| Rodent Malaria Parasite | P. berghei |
| Parent strain/line | P. berghei ANKA |
| Name parent line/clone |
P. berghei ANKA 507cl1 (RMgm-7)
|
| Other information parent line | P.berghei ANKA 507cl1 (RMgm-7) is a reference ANKA mutant line which expresses GFP under control of a constitutive promoter. This reference line does not contain a drug-selectable marker (PubMed: PMID: 16242190). |
| top of page |
| The mutant parasite was generated by |
| Name PI/Researcher | K. Volkmann, O. Billker, M. Brochet |
| Name Group/Department | Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute |
| Name Institute | Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute |
| City | Cambridge Hinxton |
| Country | UK |
| top of page |
| Name of the mutant parasite |
| RMgm number | RMgm-767 |
| Principal name | IMC1h-HA |
| Alternative name | |
| Standardized name | |
| Is the mutant parasite cloned after genetic modification | Yes |
| top of page |
| Phenotype |
| Asexual blood stage | Not different from wild type |
| Gametocyte/Gamete | Not different from wild type |
| Fertilization and ookinete | IMC1h-HA expression in ookinetes. IMC1h localised at the periphery of ookinetes but was absent from both the anterior and posterior ends of the cells. |
| Oocyst | Not tested |
| Sporozoite | IMC1h-HA expression in sporozoites.
In salivary gland sporozoites HA immunostaining was present in the cell periphery |
| Liver stage | IMC1h-HA expression in liver stages.
Expression was observed at 7, 24 and 30 hpi. From 42 hpi, IMC1h-HA staining had diminished and was absent from mature merozoites in merosomes. |
| Additional remarks phenotype | Mutant/mutation
The mutant expresses an HA-tagged form of IMC1h (inner membrane complex protein 1h). The IMC1h gene was fused in frame at its 3′ end to a triple hemagglutinin (HA) epitope tag.
Protein (function)
The imc1h gene belongs to small 'family' of conserved genes that express putative membrane skeleton proteins which contain domains that share sequence homology to domains of articulins, proteins of membrane skeleton of free-living protists and show homology to the inner membrane complex protein 1 (TgIMC1) of the subpellicular network of Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites (Khater, E.I., et al. 2004, J. Cell. Biol. 167, 425-32) . In Plasmodium eight conserved IMC1 protein family members have been identified, named IMC1a-IMC1h. Two of these, IMC1a and IMC1b, were shown to be differentially expressed in sporozoites and ookinetes, respectively, and to form part of their pellicle structures in P. berghei. IMC1a and IMC1b are structurally and functionally homologous and involved in parasite morphology, mechanical strength, gliding motility and infectivity, in accordance with their roles as membrane skeleton proteins (see also mutants RMgm-147 and RMgm-148 lacking expression of IMC1b and IMC1a). IMC1h, is found in the pellicle of both ookinetes and sporozoites (see mutant RMgm-600) . Phenotype analyses of the mutants lacking IMC1h (RMgm-601, RMgm-766) indicates a role of this protein in morphology/shape of ookinetes and sporozoites and in motility of both stages (see also below)
Phenotype
Phenotype analyses indicate that IMC1h is expressed in ookinetes, sporozoites and during liver stage development.
Phenotype analyses of the mutants lacking IMC1h (RMgm-601, RMgm-766) indicates a role of this protein is involved in maintaining the cellular architecture supporting typical movement behaviour of both ookinetes and sporozoites and plays a role during development of liver stages.
Additional information
Other mutants
RMgm-147: A mutant lacking expression of IMC1b
RMgm-148: A mutant lacking expression of IMC1a
RMgm-163: A mutant expressing a GFP-tagged form of IMC1b
RMgm-600: A mutant expressing a GFP-tagged form of IMC1h
RMgm-601: A mutant lacking expression of IMC1h
RMgm-602: A mutant lacking expression of both IMC1h and IMC1b
RMgm-766: A mutant lacking expression of IMC1h |
*RMgm-767
