Résumé
Posttranslational modifications of proteins by oligossaccharides and glycolipids play an important role for the structure, biosynthesis and biological function of surface membrane proteins of viruses, bacteria and eukaryotic cells including parasitic protozoa. Until recently very little on the glycobiology of Toxoplasma gondii was known and considerable controversy as to the presence of glycoproteins as major surface components of the Toxoplasma existed [Handman et al., 1980; Johnson et al., 1981; Mauras et aL, 1980; Naot et al., 1983; Sharma et al., 1983]. It has now become apparent that the major membrane surface proteins of T. gondii are modified by glycoconjugates. Their role in the biology and pathology of the parasite remains to be elucidated in detail.