Cholesterol immobilization via ether-linked sepharose gels

Cholesterol has been immobilized on Sepharose-6B via oxyether linkages to the 3- or 25-position. The 3- or 25-hydroxysterol methanesulfonates were coupled with epoxy-Sepharose-6B at 80 degrees C for 24 h. Approximately 2% of the ligand was incorporated into the gel. These types of affinity columns may be useful in purifying proteins that specifically bind or metabolize cholesterol.