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Previous Volume 330:942-943 March 31, 1994 Number 13 Next

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To the Editor: I would like to point out a mistake in the figure accompanying Dr. Schwartz's editorial (Jan. 27 issue)¹. As shown in the figure, the glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI) tail extends through the entire membrane bilayer. This is incorrect. The GPI anchor is composed of a conserved glycan core attached to an inositol phospholipid that transverses only the outer leaflet of the membrane bilayer^2,3,4. The correct PIG tail, as the GPI anchor is fondly called by enthusiasts, is shown in Figure 1.

View larger version (17K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 1. Corrected Diagram Showing the Structure of the GPI Anchor (Shaded Area) and Its Position in the Phospholipid Bilayer.

 

Edward T.H. Yeh, M.D.
University of Texas
Houston, TX 77225

References

1. Schwartz RS. PIG-A -- the target gene in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. N Engl J Med 1994;330:283-284. [Free Full Text]
2. Thomas JR, Dwek RA, Rademacher TW. Structure, biosynthesis, and function of glycosylphosphatidylinositols. Biochemistry 1990;29:5413-5422. [CrossRef][Medline]
3. Englund PT. The structure and biosynthesis of glycosyl phosphatidylinositol protein anchors. Annu Rev Biochem 1993;62:121-138. [CrossRef][Medline]
4. Kamitani T, Menon AK, Hallaq Y, Warren CD, Yeh ET. Complexity of ethanolamine phosphate addition in the biosynthesis of glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchors in mammalian cells. J Biol Chem 1992;267:24611-24619. [Free Full Text]

Dr. Yeh is correct. The tail was too long.

Robert S. Schwartz, M.D.

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