Phospholipids containing photoactivable groups in studies of biological membranes

• Published in: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences Vol. 346; p. 165
• Main Authors: Radhakrishnan, R, Gupta, C M, Erni, B, Robson, R J, Curatolo, W, Majumdar, A, Ross, A H, Takagaki, Y, Khorana, H G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-06-1980
• Subjects: Animals; Chemical Phenomena; Chemistry; Cross-Linking Reagents; Cytochromes - analysis; Fatty Acids - chemical synthesis; Glycophorin - analysis; Gramicidin - analysis; Humans; Indicators and Reagents; Membrane Proteins - analysis; Membranes - analysis; Phospholipids - chemical synthesis; Phospholipids - radiation effects; Photochemistry; Rabbits
• ISSN: 0077-8923
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1980.tb22099.x

Photoactivable carbene precursors, aryl diazirines and trifluorodiazopropionates, were incorporated synthetically into the omega-positions of fatty acids, which were used to synthesize phospholipids. Extensive intermolecular C--H insertion reactions were demonstrated by photolysis of liposomes prepared from the above phospholipids. Structural analysis of the cross-linked products showed that the predominant sites of cross-linking were in the expected positions within the bilayer. Studies on the topography of a number of membrane proteins using the above phospholipids were initiated. Cross-linking of the photoactivable phospholipids to membrane-embedded proteins, glycophorin A, cytochrome b5, and gramicidin A, was demonstrated.