A method of inhibiting parasitic activity is disclosed in which the biosynthesis, structure and/or function of the glycotyl phosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor of said parasite may be affected by incorporating into said GPI anchor selected analogs of myristic acid containing various heteroatoms, substituents and unsaturated bonds, including ester-containing analogs, ketocarbonyl-containing analogs, sulfur-containing analogs, double bond- and triple bond-containing analogs, aromatic moiety-containing analogs, nitrated analogs and halogenated analogs.