Abstract
Amino groups in amino acids, proteins and possibly glycoproteins could be conjugated to a product of per-Iodate oxidation of phosphatidyglycerol. The reaction yields an unstable Schiff's base, which could be converted to a more stable phosphatidylethanol derivative of the respective amino acid or protein, by a reducing agent such as sodium borohydride. Such derivatives may be a useful alternative to stearylamine in the preparation of cationic liposomes intended for use in enzyme replacement and drug therapy. They may be useful in preparing liposomes with stable glycoprotein and protein moieties sticking outwards on the surface of the vesicle; an important development in the effort to achieve selective homing or targetting of liposomally entrapped therapeutic agent to specific tissues.