1,2-Dilauroyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (CAS 59752-57-7)

1,2-Dilauroyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DLPE) is a synthetic phospholipid that plays a crucial role in the study of membrane biophysics and lipid biochemistry. As a phospholipid, it is composed of two lauroyl chains attached to a glycerol backbone, linked to a phosphate group and an ethanolamine, making it an integral part of lipid bilayers. Researchers utilize DLPE primarily for creating model cell membranes, which are essential for examining the fundamental properties of biological membranes, such as fluidity, phase behavior, and interactions with proteins. The structurally defined nature of DLPE allows for precise control over the lipid environment, facilitating studies on how variations in lipid composition affect the behavior of membranes. This has been particularly useful in biophysical experiments using techniques like differential scanning calorimetry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to observe the dynamics and organization of lipid molecules within the bilayer. Furthermore, DLPE′s capacity to form liposomes, vesicles made up of lipid bilayers, is exploited in research to encapsulate and study the behavior of various biochemicals in a controlled lipid environment, providing insights into the biophysical characteristics of cell membranes without the complexity of other cellular components. Through these applications, DLPE serves as a vital tool for advancing our understanding of membrane structure and function in a purely research context.