PIGF

Function

This gene encodes a protein that is involved in glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchor biosynthesis. The GPI-anchor is a glycolipid which contains three mannose molecules in its core backbone. The GPI-anchor is found on many blood cells and serves to anchor proteins to the cell surface. This protein and another GPI synthesis protein, PIGO, function in the transfer of ethanolaminephosphate (EtNP) to the third mannose in GPI. At least two alternatively spliced transcripts encoding distinct isoforms have been found for this gene.

Model organisms

Model organisms have been used in the study of PIGF function. A conditional knockout mouse line called Pigf^{tm1a(KOMP)Wtsi} was generated at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. Male and female animals underwent a standardized phenotypic screen to determine the effects of deletion. Additional screens performed: - In-depth immunological phenotyping