Semisynthesis of membrane-anchored cholesteryl lipoproteins on live cell surface by azide–alkyne click reaction

[Display omitted] Cholesteryl lipoprotein semisynthesis was accomplished via a copper-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition on the surface of live cells. In this convergent synthesis an azido-cholesterol was introduced into the cell membrane without the application of detergents followed by conjugation of the C-terminal alkyne modified protein. This cytocompatible method resulted in a folded membrane-anchored protein containing a small molecule fluorophore in the lipid headgroup.