TRANSFER OF EXOGENOUS GLYCOSYLPHOS-PHATIDYLINOSITOL (GPI)-LINKED MOLECULES TO PLASMA-MEMBRANES

Purified GPI-linked molecules incorporate spontaneously in vitro into mammalian cell plasma membranes. Recent evidence suggests that the tra nsferred molecules insert stably into the external leaflet of the acce ptor cell plasma membrane through their acyl chains and behave subsequ ently in a way similar to endogenous GPI-linked molecules. Transfer of GPI-linked proteins between cells has also been documented in vivo an d may explain the uptake by host cells of pathogen-derived virulence f actors carrying a GPI anchor. In this comment article, Subburaj Ilangu maran, Peter Robinson and Daniel Hoessli review what is known about GP I transfer and discuss the use of GPI transfer for transient cell-surf ace expression of foreign proteins.