The gene has been targeted for gene deletion using a construct aimed at integration into the genome by double cross-over homologous recombination

The gene has been targeted for disruption in a 'kinome-wide' study for deletion of genes encoding Plasmodium protein kinases (protein kinase-like proteins).

See the paper for additional information on the analysis of the phenotype.

See RMgm-482 for an independen mutant lacking expression of PBANKA_020580. Phenotype analyses of this mutant showed the following characteristics: Fertilisation and ookinete formation NOT different from wild type; Oocyst production and development NOT different from wild type; Normal numbers of salivary gland sporozoites; Sporozoites showed reduced gliding motility and cell traversal capacity in vitro. Invasion of HepG2 cells in vitro was comparable to that of wild type parasites. Infectivity of sporozoites to mice was strongly reduced (as tested by intravenous injection of purified sporozoites or after infection of mice by mosquito bite). Salivary gland sporozoites show premature development into early liver stage forms.

See below for a picture showing the location of the target regions used to disrupt PBANKA_020580 in the mutant described here and for mutant RMgm-482

Disruption of the P. falciparum ortholog has been attempted (Solyakov et al., 2011, Nat Commun, 2:565). After transfection with a KO vector a strong PCR signal diagnostic for gene disruption was observed in transfected populations indicating that this gene is not essential for asexual proliferation. Cloning will however be required to validate this interpretation for this