In a brief review on glycobiology of Plasmodium falciparum (Hoessli et al 1996,
Glycoconjugate Journal 13, 1-3) I have just found the statement that this organism
does not produce N-linked glycosylation.
I had thought that N-linked glycosylation was a fundamental property of all
eukaryotes. Do people think this is correct and Plasmodium is just cutting off the
N-linked structures ? Are there any other eukaryotes known not to produce N-linked
glycosylation? How about primitive protozoa like Giardia?
I am intrigued by the possibility that some cells can dispense with N-linked
glycosylation.
Yours, Martin Slade
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Martin Slade,
School of Biological Sciences,
Macquarie University,
NSW 2109,
Australia
FAX (61 2) 9850 8174
Phone(61 2) 9850 8210
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