Glycosylated compounds of parasitic protozoa

Abstract

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 ..