The dual origin of Toxoplasma gondii N-glycans

Biochemistry. 2008 Nov 25;47(47):12270-6. doi: 10.1021/bi801090a.

Abstract

N-Linked glycosylation is the most frequent modification of secreted proteins in eukaryotic cells that plays a crucial role in protein folding and trafficking. Mature N-glycans are sequentially processed in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus through a pathway highly conserved in most eukaryotic organisms. Here, we demonstrate that the obligate intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii independently transfers endogenous truncated as well as host-derived N-glycans onto its own proteins.Therefore, we propose that the apicomplexan parasite scavenges N-glycosylation intermediates from the host cells to compensate for the rapid evolution of its biosynthetic pathway, which is primarily devoted to modification of proteins with glycosylphosphatidylinositols rather than N-glycans.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Glycosylation
  • Glycosyltransferases / deficiency
  • Glycosyltransferases / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mannose / chemistry
  • Mannose / metabolism
  • Oligosaccharides / chemistry
  • Oligosaccharides / metabolism
  • Polysaccharides / biosynthesis*
  • Polysaccharides / chemistry
  • Polysaccharides / metabolism*
  • Protozoan Proteins / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / enzymology
  • Toxoplasma / growth & development
  • Toxoplasma / metabolism*

Substances

  • Oligosaccharides
  • Polysaccharides
  • Protozoan Proteins
  • Glycosyltransferases
  • Mannose