Transmembrane Transport of Adenosine 5′-Triphosphate Using a Lipophilic Cholesteryl Derivative

The uptake of ATP in liposomes was achieved by using the lipophilic derivative cholesteryloxycarbonyl-ATP ( 1 ). Its hydrolysis leading to the release of ATP inside the vesicules (see scheme) was observed with the help of a pH gradient and monitored by ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. This is the first successful transfer of a nucleoside 5′-triphosphate across a membrane.