Glycoliposomes-Simple Preparation and Specific Binding to Lectin

Abstract

Liposomes, bearing carbohydrates of variable density on their surfaces, were prepared by covalent coupling of phenylisothiocyanate glycosides to preformed liposomes, containing spacer modified phosphatidylethanolamine as an anchor. The carbohydrate content was determined by quantitative thin layer chromatography, that allowed a sensitive detection of 0.9 nmol glycophospholipid. The lectin mediated aggregation of glycoliposomes as well as their efficient inhibition potential for the lectin induced erythrocyte hemagglutination proved them to be suitable multivalent glycoligands for lectin receptors. Their binding properties were influenced by the ligand density. More than 2mole% glycolipid were necessary for their quantitative precipitation and for an efficient hemagglutination inhibition. In a series of differently structured glycoligands glycoliposomes were most powerful.