To see whether this molecule could be similarly involved in sequestration of P. chabaudi iRBC, a gene deletion mutant of the P. chabaudi orthologue of the smac gene (PCHAS_0101300) in P. chabaudi AS, PcASΔsmac was generated (Additional file 1), and the course of infection, weight and red cell concentration was compared with wt parasites. This evidence concerns the gene DIABLO and infection.