Trypanosoma rangeli expresses a β-galactofuranosyl transferase.

Glycoconjugates play essential roles in cell recognition, infectivity and survival of protozoan parasites within their insect vectors and mammalian hosts. β-galactofuranose is a component of several glycoconjugates in many organisms, including a variety of trypanosomatids, but is absent in mammalian and African trypanosomes. Herein, we describe the presence of a β(1-3) galactofuranosyl transferase (GALFT), an important enzyme of the galactofuranose biosynthetic pathway, in Trypanosoma rangeli.