Mediates evasion of the mosquito innate immune response by suppressing midgut nitration responses that are critical to activate the mosquito complement system. It is unclear whether the protein has a role in passive evasion by making the parasite invisible to the mosquito immune system, acts as a decoy to prevent recognition of another surface protein or anchors the decoy protein. Not required for female fertility. Specifically present on the surface of female gametocytes. Expressed only in female gametocytes following emergence from red blood cells. Reduced parasite survival in the mosquito. Parasites produce normal numbers of oocysts when included in the blood meal of the mosquito vector. Exhibits a high rate of non-synonymous polymorphism is different strains, suggesting that it adapts to different Anopheles vector species.