title: Evolutionary aspects of GPI metabolism in kinetoplastid parasites.
abstract: There is a growing, but still very patchy, data base of GPI structure, biosynthesis and function. In this article we speculate freely on the function of GPI anchors, and the origins of GPI-related molecules, primarily with reference to the protozoan parasites Trypanosoma brucei and the Leishmania. The views expressed draw on fairly wild extrapolations and some will, no doubt, not stand the tests of time. Several of the hypotheses presented should therefore be taken with a pinch of salt, some lemon, and large quantities of tequila!
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Dundee, Scotland.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ferguson
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Masterson
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Homans
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: McConville
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D002240:Carbohydrate Sequence; D017261:Glycosylphosphatidylinositols; D007891:Leishmania / Q000378:metabolism*; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010716:Phosphatidylinositols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D014346:Trypanosoma brucei brucei / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D017261:Glycosylphosphatidylinositols; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D010716:Phosphatidylinositols; D011134:Polysaccharides