Recent progress in synthetic and biological studies of GPI anchors and GPI-anchored proteins

Curr Opin Chem Biol. 2013 Dec;17(6):1006-13. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2013.09.016. Epub 2013 Oct 12.

Abstract

Covalent attachment of glycosylphosphatidylinositols (GPIs) to the protein C-terminus is one of the most common posttranslational modifications in eukaryotic cells. In addition to anchoring surface proteins to the cell membrane, GPIs also have many other important biological functions, determined by their unique structure and property. This account has reviewed the recent progress made in disclosing GPI and GPI-anchored protein biosynthesis, in the chemical and chemoenzymatic synthesis of GPIs and GPI-anchored proteins, and in understanding the conformation, organization, and distribution of GPIs in the lipid membrane.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • GPI-Linked Proteins / chemical synthesis
  • GPI-Linked Proteins / chemistry*
  • GPI-Linked Proteins / metabolism*
  • Glycosylphosphatidylinositols / chemical synthesis
  • Glycosylphosphatidylinositols / chemistry*
  • Glycosylphosphatidylinositols / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Synthetic Biology

Substances

  • GPI-Linked Proteins
  • Glycosylphosphatidylinositols