Synthesis and fluorescence properties of new fluorescent, polymerizable, metal-chelating lipids

Liposomes incorporating fluorescent, metal-chelating lipids find applicatio ns in molecular recognition of peptides, 2D protein recystallization, prote in targeting, and biological sensing. It would be advantageous to combine t he usefulness of polymerizable, metal-chelating lipids and fluorescent lipi ds. Herein, we report the synthesis and fluorescence properties of several fluorescent, polymerizable, metal-chelating lipids. They have been successf ully incorporated into liposomes and then polymerized. These lipids can be used as membrane probes to study the polymerizable liposomes in the unpolym erized state and to investigate lipid redistribution during polymerization. In addition, if a luminescent metal ion (e.g., Eu3+, Tb3+, etc.) is used t o complex the headgroup, the lipids can probe the membrane interior and ext erior simultaneously.