Glycoprobe for selective embedding in membrane rafts

Synthetic analogs of glycolipids are widely used for modification of the cell membrane with glycans. Constructs capable of selective (or even specific) insertion into membrane rafts are of special interest because various molecules (transmembrane proteins, their cofactors, and glycosphingolipids) essential for cellular processes are concentrated in these domains. A suitable lipid part for such constructs is a cholesterol derivative that retain the ability of the 3β-substituent to form the hydrogen bonds in the plasma membrane. Herein, synthesis of lipophilic construct containing 3β-cholesterylamine as a lipid part and blood group A (type 2) tetrasaccharide as a glycan part is described.