Neutral monohexosylceramides (CMHs) globosides (globotriasyl ceramides), other glycosphingolipids (GSLs) and more complex structures such as glycoinositol-phospholipids(GIPLs) and glycosyl phosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors have been described in several members of the trypanosomatid family. These highly bioactive molecules are not only components of biological structures but also participants in host-parasite interactions such as macrophage invasion, antigenic presentation and signal transduction. Glycolipid structures have been studied using mass spectrometry (MS).This review describes a wide range of glycoconjugates with unique and complex structures that are present in several trypanosomatid species. Their structures are described in the context of their biological significance.
mass spectrometry, GIPLs, GPI-anchor proteins, GSLs, Trypanosomatids
Publication DOI: 10.2174/1874421401004010084Journal NLM ID: 101552240Publisher: Hilversum: Bentham Science Publishers
Correspondence: eliana.bergter@micro.ufrj.br
Institutions: Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Prof. Paulo de Góes (IMPPG), Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS) Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Bloco I, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-590 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil