Structures of Glycolipids Found in Trypanosomatids: Contribution to Parasite Functions

Abstract

Neutral monohexosylceramides (CMHs) globosides (globotriasyl ceramides), other glycosphingolipids (GSLs) and more complex structures such as glycoinositol-phospholipids(GIPLs) and glycosyl phosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors have been described in several members of the trypanosomatid family. These highly bioactive molecules are not only components of biological structures but also participants in host-parasite interactions such as macrophage invasion, anti- genic presentation and signal transduction. Glycolipid structures have been studied using mass spectrometry (MS).This review describes a wide range of glycoconjugates with unique and complex structures that are present in several trypano- somatid species. Their structures are described in the context of their biological significance.