GTP-binding protein involved in protein trafficking; may modulate vesicle budding and uncoating within the Golgi apparatus. Developmentally regulated and reaches a maximum at or just after nuclear division (at 30 - 36h) when the daughter parasites produced by asexual reproduction are segregating to become individual merozoites. The levels drop dramatically at 36 - 42h and remain low through the rest of the life cycle. Detected in the schizont stage. Increased expression may correlate with post-mitotic nuclear vesicle fusion. Belongs to the small GTPase superfamily. Arf family.