Synthesis and Diol-responsiveness of a Boronic Lipid

1,2-Dipalmitoryl-sn-glycero-3-(3-boronopropyl-N,N-dimethylaminium) (DPBA), a lipid which specifically binds to diol compounds through the boronic acid moiety, was synthesized. Cryo-TEM observation revealed that DPBA formed unilamellar vesicles in an aqueous environment. Thermotropic phase-transition temperature of DPBA was increased in response to addition of either diols or phosphatidylcholine, indicating that DPBA has both diol responsivity and is characteristic as a reversed-head lipid.