Untersuchungen zur Rolle des GPI Transamidase Komplexes der intrazellulären Parasiten Toxoplasma gondii und Plasmodium falciparum

本项目的目的是阐明顶复门类细胞内原生动物的几种糖脂的结构、生物合成和作用。我们关注的焦点是糖基磷脂酰肌醇（GPIs）、（糖）鞘脂和半乳糖脂。后者在顶质体的膜系统的形成中起作用，顶质体是所有顶复门寄生虫共有的植物来源的质体。弓形虫和恶性疟原虫的鞘糖脂，已知是从头合成的，将被分离出来，并通过使用放射性标记和物理化学方法，如GC-MS，阐明其结构。结构将与宿主细胞中发现的鞘糖脂的结构进行比较。将研究它们的生物合成和在细胞内转运中的作用。由于已知GPIs和（Glyco）鞘脂除了其物理化学功能（例如蛋白质锚定和参与筏的形成等）外，还在细胞内信号传导中发挥作用，因此将更详细地研究它们在这些顶复门寄生虫中的特性

The aim of this project is to elucidate the structure, biosynthesis and role of several glycolipids of intracellular protozoa belonging to the class of apicomplexa. In the focus of our attention are glycosylphosphatidylinositols (GPIs), (glyco)sphingolipids, and galactolipids. The latter have a role in the formation of the membraneous system of the apicoplast, a plastid of plant origin which is common to all apicomplexan parasites. Glycosphingolipids of Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium falciparum, known to be synthesized de novo, will be isolated and their structure elucidated by using radiolabelling and physicochemical methods such as GC-MS. The structures will be compared with the structures of glycosphingolipids found in the host cells. Their biosynthesis and role in intracellular transport will be investigated. As GPIs and (Glyco)sphingolipids are known to have roles in intracellular signalling in addition to their physicochemical functions such as protein anchoring and participation in the formation of rafts etc. their properties in these apicomplexan parasites will be investigated in more detail