Biological process

GO:0046472

GPI anchor metabolism, glycosylphosphatidylinositol metabolic process, glycosylphosphatidylinositol metabolism

The chemical reactions and pathways involving glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchors, molecular mechanisms for attaching membrane proteins to the lipid bilayer of cell membranes. Structurally they consist of a molecule of phosphatidylinositol to which is linked, via the C-6 hydroxyl of the inositol, a carbohydrate chain. This chain is in turn linked to the protein through an ethanolamine phosphate group, the amino group of which is in amide linkage with the C-terminal carboxyl of the protein chain, the phosphate group being esterified to the C-6 hydroxyl of the terminal mannose of the core carbohydrate chain.