1,2-Didecanoyl PC (CAS 3436-44-0)

1,2-Didecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, often abbreviated as 1,2-Didecanoyl PC, with the CAS number 3436-44-0, is a synthetic phospholipid characterized by its incorporation of two decanoyl (capric acid) fatty acid chains attached to the first and second carbons of a glycerol backbone, with a phosphocholine group connected to the third carbon. This configuration endows 1,2-Didecanoyl PC with amphiphilic properties, making it invaluable in the field of membrane biophysics for studying lipid interactions and the structural dynamics of bilayers. Due to its relatively shorter fatty acid chains compared to naturally occurring phospholipids, 1,2-Didecanoyl PC forms lipid bilayers with different physical properties, such as increased fluidity and altered permeability. These features are exploited in research to simulate and understand how variations in lipid chain length affect membrane behavior and stability, providing insights into fundamental cellular processes that depend on membrane architecture. Additionally, 1,2-Didecanoyl PC is utilized in constructing model cell membranes and liposomes for the examination of protein-lipid interactions, facilitating deeper investigation into how proteins influence and are influenced by the lipid environment surrounding them. This makes it a tool of choice for dissecting the mechanics of lipid behavior in simplified systems that mimic more complex biological scenarios.