Microbial Glycobiology

Microbial Glycobiology

Structures, Relevance and Applications
2010, Pages 203-231
Microbial Glycobiology

Chapter 12 - Glycosylated compounds of parasitic protozoa

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This chapter describes the range of glycan structures and pathways that are found in different parasitic protozoa. All parasitic protists express a range of glycoconjugates that form protective protein-rich or carbohydrate-rich surface coats. Protein-rich coats are typically found on developmental stages that inhabit nonhydrolytic niches, such as the bloodstream and nonacidified intracellular vacuoles. These coats are commonly dominated by a limited repertoire of antigenically diverse proteins that are commonly, but not always, glycosylphosphatidylinositol- (GPI-) anchored and modified with N- or O-glycans. Carbohydrate-rich coats are commonly found on developmental stages that dwell within hydrolytic environments, such as vertebrate and arthropod digestive tracts and lysosomal vacuoles. These coats are dominated by GPI-anchored glycoproteins that are heavily modified with N-glycans, O-glycans, or phosphoglycans. Free GPI glycolipids (not attached to protein) can also be abundant or dominant components of these coats. Some parasitic protists can also form highly resistant cyst stages encased within polysaccharide-rich cell walls.

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