The structure, biosynthesis and functions of glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchors, and the contributions of trypanosome research

J Cell Sci. 1999 Sep:112 ( Pt 17):2799-809. doi: 10.1242/jcs.112.17.2799.

Abstract

The discovery of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) membrane anchors has had a significant impact on several areas of eukaryote cell biology. Studies of the African trypanosome, which expresses a dense surface coat of GPI-anchored variant surface glycoprotein, have played important roles in establishing the general structure of GPI membrane anchors and in delineating the pathway of GPI biosynthesis. The major cell-surface molecules of related parasites are also rich in GPI-anchored glycoproteins and/or GPI-related glycophospholipids, and differences in substrate specificity between enzymes of trypanosomal and mammalian GPI biosynthesis may have potential for the development of anti-parasite therapies. Apart from providing stable membrane anchorage, GPI anchors have been implicated in the sequestration of GPI-anchored proteins into specialised membrane microdomains, known as lipid rafts, and in signal transduction events.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dimerization
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Glycosylation
  • Glycosylphosphatidylinositols / biosynthesis
  • Glycosylphosphatidylinositols / chemistry
  • Glycosylphosphatidylinositols / physiology*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Leishmania / enzymology
  • Leishmania / pathogenicity
  • Leishmania / physiology
  • Mammals / parasitology
  • Mannose / metabolism
  • Membrane Lipids / physiology
  • Membrane Proteins / physiology
  • Models, Molecular
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Protozoan Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Protozoan Proteins / chemistry
  • Protozoan Proteins / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Trypanosoma brucei brucei / enzymology
  • Trypanosoma brucei brucei / pathogenicity
  • Trypanosoma brucei brucei / physiology*
  • Trypanosoma cruzi / enzymology
  • Trypanosoma cruzi / pathogenicity
  • Trypanosoma cruzi / physiology
  • Variant Surface Glycoproteins, Trypanosoma / biosynthesis
  • Variant Surface Glycoproteins, Trypanosoma / chemistry
  • Variant Surface Glycoproteins, Trypanosoma / genetics
  • Variant Surface Glycoproteins, Trypanosoma / physiology*
  • Virulence

Substances

  • Glycosylphosphatidylinositols
  • Membrane Lipids
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Protozoan Proteins
  • Variant Surface Glycoproteins, Trypanosoma
  • Mannose