Liposomes insulin receptor

An important question arises about the effects of phospholipid composition and the function of membrane-bound enzymes. The phospholipid composition and cholesterol content in cell membranes of cultured cells can be modified, either by supplementing the medium with specific lipids or by incubation with different types of liposomes. Direct effects of phospholipid structure have been observed on the activity of the Ca2+-ATPase (due to changes in the phosphorylation and nucleotide binding domains) [37]. Evidence of a relationship between lipid structure and membrane functions also comes from studies with the insulin receptor [38]. Lipid alteration had no influence on insulin binding, but modified the kinetics of receptor autophosphorylation. 

Substances also may be attached covalently to proteins for transporting the substances to targets in the body. Examples of this approach have been transporting radioactive iodine or toxic substances attached to antibodies in attempts to kill cancer cells and attaching radioactive metals to proteins and bleomycin for similar purposes (122). A recent novel approach has been that of Wu and Means (123) who have attached insulin to artificially formed liposomes by a reductive alkylation modification. The insulin-liposome aggregate reacts with insulin receptors. 

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