Carbamyl analogs of phosphatidylcholines. Synthesis, interaction with phospholipases and permeability behavior of their liposomes.

A novel class of phospholipase-resisting phosphatidylcholine analogs, in which the C-2 ester group or both C-1 and C-2 ester groups have been replaced by carbomyloxy functions (Formula--see text), have been synthesized. These lipids were not degraded by phospholipase A2, while complete hydrolysis occurred with phospholipase C. Ultrasonic irradiation of the aqueous dispersions of the phospholipids in the presence as well as in the absence of cholesterol resulted in the formation of closed bilayer structures as evidenced by negative staining electron microscopy and also by their ability to entrap [14C]glucose. The leakage rates of glucose at 37 degrees C from liposomes of these compounds have also been measured. Liposomes consisting of 1,2-dipentadecanylcarbamyloxy-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine were found to be more leaky (2.1%/h) as compared to the liposomes of 1-palmitoyl-2-pentadecanylcarbamyloxy-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (0.5%/h). Moreover, inclusion of cholesterol (33 mol%) into the bilayers of the former phospholipid had no effect on the leakage rate (2.4%/h) while it effectively reduced permeability of the latter (0.22%/h). These phosphatidylcholines are useful for studying the possible role of phospholipases in the capture and lysis of liposomes in vivo.