Selective and programmed cleavage of GPI-anchored proteins from the surface membrane by phospholipase C

► The release of different GPI-anchored proteins from the cell surface membrane is characterized in vitro and in vivo. ► GPI-anchors are cleaved and released into the cellular medium by phospholipase C. ► Phospholipase C isoforms discriminate between different GPI-proteins. ► Our data indicates that release of GPI-proteins by phospholipase C is fast, programmed and selective.