lipophosphoglycan

{{short description|Eukaryotic cell surface macromolecule}}

Lipophosphoglycan (LPG) is a class of molecules found on the surface of some eukaryotes, in particular protozoa. Each is made up of two parts, lipid and polysaccharide (also called glycan). They are bonded by a phosphodiester, hence the name lipo-phospho-glycan.{{cite journal|title=Leishmania lipophosphoglycan: how to establish structure-activity relationships for this highly complex and multifunctional glycoconjugate?|first1=Claire-Lise |last1=Forestier |first2=Qi |last2=Gao|first3= Geert-Jan |last3=Boons|journal=Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology|pmid=25653924|volume=4|issue=193 |doi=10.3389/fcimb.2014.00193 |pmc=4301024 |year=2014|page=193 |doi-access=free }}

One species with extensive lipophosphoglycan coating is Leishmania, a group of single-celled protozoan parasite which cause leishmaniasis in many mammals, including humans. Their coats help modulate their hosts' immunological responses.{{cite journal|title=The lipophosphoglycan of Leishmania parasites.|first1=SJ|last1=Turco |first2=A|last2= Descoteaux|journal=Annual Review of Microbiology|pmid=1444269|volume=46|doi=10.1146/annurev.mi.46.100192.000433|year=1992|pages=65–94}} LPG-like substances are released into medium by the parasite and are called excreted factor in aggregate.