GLYCOSYL PHOSPHATIDYLINOSITOL ANCHORS

GPI anchors confine surface antigens, adhesion molecules and cell surface hydrolases to plasma membranes ubiquitously in eukaryotes including many protozoa such as trypanosomes (not found in prokaryotes).

CORE: linear

Man(?1?2)Man(?1? 4)Man(?1? 4)

GlcNH2 (?1? 4)PI

MODIFCATIONS:

at Man: variable branches of Gal, GalNAc;

E-P in mammals

at inositol: addition of  a fatty acid

at glycerol: variety of fatty  acyl groups

C-terminus

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