Biochemical characterization of the variant surface proteins (VSP) of Giardia

Completed Research Project

Title / Titel: Biochemical characterization of the variant surface proteins (VSP) of Giardia

Summary / Zusammenfassung: Trophozoites of Giardia express variant proteins (VSPs) at their cell surface that are likely to contribute to the protection of the parasite from immunological and host defense mechanisms. Our biochemical analyses have shown that these proteins are posttranslationally modified with both a novel type of glycan(s) and palmitic acid. The precise structure of the carbohydrate moieties and the attachment sites of both modifications are currently being investigated. These studies also include molecular approaches using transfection technology and site-directed mutagenesis.

Publications / Publikationen: Papanastasiou P., Hiltpold A., Bommeli C, Köhler P (1996) The release of the variant surface protein of Giardia to its soluble isoform is mediated by selective cleavage of the conserved carboxy-terminal domain. Biochemistry 35:10143-10148.
Papanastasiou P., McConville MJ, Ralton J, Köhler P (1997) The variant-specific surface protein of Giardia, VSP4A1, is a glycosylated and palmitoylated protein. Biochem. J. 322:49-56.

Project Leadership and Contacts / Projektleitung und Kontakte

Professor Peter Köhler (Project Leader)

Funding Source(s) / Unterstützt durch: Universität Zürich (position pursuing an academic career), SNF (Personen- und Projektförderung)

In Collaboration with / In Zusammenarbeit mit

Dr. P. Ey, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Adelaide.

Australia