Post-translational Modification of Proteins by Lipids

The growing interest in recent years in the anchoring to membranes of proteins by post­ translational modification is documented by the large number of publications which ap­ peared in this field. In September 1987, scientists from 10 countries from all over the world met in the resort village of Les Diablerets, Switzerland, to discuss the most recent advances made in this field. The sessions were devoted to the anchoring of membrane proteins by cova­ lent attachment of fatty acids and of glycophospholipids. The workshop brought together many scientists working on vastly different proteins such as the variant surface glycoprotein of Trypanosomes and antigens of the mammalian cells. The subject of the workshop unified many scientists who had not met before and thus greatly stimulated interdisciplinary work. In addition to the lectures, each participant was provided with a collection of Methods currently in use in the study of membrane proteins anchored by post-translational modifica­ tion. An updated version of this collection is now presented as a Laboratory Manual, and the techniques described therein will give researchers easy and practical access to the investiga­ tion of post-translationally modified proteins. The publication of the present book by Springer follows an established tradition of previously published manuals on the handling of membrane proteins. Our thanks go to the authors who made the essential contribution in writing and adapting the experimental protocols, to Mrs. R.