1,2-Dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-sn-1-glycerol . sodium salt

1,2-Dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-sn-1-glycerol sodium salt, commonly referred to as DPPG-Na, is a synthetic phospholipid used extensively in membrane biophysics to study the properties and behaviors of lipid bilayers. This molecule features a glycerol backbone where two saturated palmitic acid chains are attached at the sn-1 and sn-2 positions, which contributes to the formation of rigid and less fluid lipid membranes. The distinctive aspect of DPPG-Na is its phosphoglycerol headgroup at the sn-3 position, which carries a negative charge balanced by sodium. This configuration makes it particularly useful for studying interactions within lipid bilayers and between bilayers and other molecules, such as in the investigation of membrane fusion, signaling, and the mechanics of vesicle formation. DPPG-Na helps explain how specific lipid components influence membrane curvature, structural integrity, and dynamic properties, providing valuable insights into the fundamental organizational principles of cellular membranes without any direct clinical, therapeutic, or pharmaceutical applications.