Functional group targets lipids

Covalent attachment of proteins to the surface of liposomal bilayers is done through reactive sites created on the head groups of phospholipids with the intermediary use of a crosslinker or other activating agent. The lipid functional groups described in Section 1 of this chapter are modified according to the methods discussed in Section 2 to be reactive toward specific target... 

Two approaches for the activation of lipid components may be used to create reactive groups in liposomes. A purified lipid component may be activated prior to incorporation into the bilayer construction or the activation step may occur after formation of the intact liposome. Either way, the goal of the activation process is to provide a reactive species that can be used to couple with selected target functional groups on... 

The following sections present suggested protocols for creating protein-bearing liposomes. Each method utilizes specific lipid functional groups and targets amines, sulfhydryls, aldehydes, or carboxylates on the protein molecules. 

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