Three fluorescent sphingolipids have been prepared, which contain dansyl sphingosine in the hydrophobic portion and various head groups (F-Phosphorylcholine, galactose and lactose) in the hydrophilic end. These dansylphingolipids are readily incorporated into membranes and show affinity toward several membrane proteins. Results of fluorescence measurements indicate, that these lipids may be useful as probes for studying protein—lipid interactions.
