The leishmanial lipophosphoglycan: a multifunctional molecule.
A striking characteristic of leishmanial parasites is their ability to avoid destruction in hostile environments throughout their life cycle. To survive, the parasites must have evolved specialized molecules. One such molecule that has received considerable attention is an unusual glycoconjugate called lipophosphoglycan. The macromolecule is the major cell surface glycoconjugate of all Leishmania promastigotes. This minireview summarizes current information on the structure and possible functions of this intriguing molecule.
Department of Biochemistry, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington 40536.
S J
SJ
Turco
D000818:Animals; D006001:Glycoconjugates / Q000032:analysis; D006028:Glycosphingolipids / Q000032:analysis*; D007893:Leishmania donovani / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology; D007895:Leishmania tropica / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000469:parasitology; D011576:Psychodidae / Q000469:parasitology
D006001:Glycoconjugates; D006028:Glycosphingolipids; C008290:lipophosphonoglycan