Radioiodination of naturally occurring phospholipids

A simple and rapid nonenzymatic method for radioiodination of phospholipids is described. It involves oxidation of Na125I with TlCl3 (or chloramine-T) in an aqueous medium, with subsequent exposure of the phospholipids, dissolved in chloroform/methanol, to the action of the oxidizing mixture. Purification of the radiolabelled phospholipids was effected by washing with sodium thiosulphate followed by thin-layer chromatography on silica gel. Specific radioactivity of 125I-labelled phosphatidylcholine was estimated to be about 10 muCi/mg phospholipid. The method is designed for radioiodination of various naturally occurring phospholipids.