Abstract
Post-translational modification of proteins with glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) is mediated by a mechanism that is conserved in all eukaryotes. GPI-anchored proteins are characterized by their association with specialized membrane domains called “lipid rafts,” and the GPI-anchors are thought to regulate their intracellular trafficking pathways. These characteristics are regulated by the structural properties of GPI-anchors, remodeling enzymes and recognition molecules. The biogenesis of GPI-anchored proteins occurs in the ER, following which they are transported to the plasma membrane via the Golgi apparatus. During transport, the structures of the GPI-anchors are remodeled. In this minireview, the structural remodeling of mammalian GPI-anchors and regulation of the transport and localization of GPI-anchored proteins are described.
