1-O-Octadecyl-3-O-methyl-rac-glycerol

1-O-Octadecyl-2-O-methyl-rac-glycerol is a synthetic ether lipid analog characterized by an octadecyl chain at the sn-1 position and a methyl group at the sn-2 position. Its structural modifications make it valuable in research exploring the structural requirements and biological functions of natural ether lipids, such as plasmalogens and platelet-activating factors (PAF). This compound serves as a substrate or competitive inhibitor in enzyme assays targeting lipases, esterases, and other enzymes involved in lipid metabolism, providing insights into enzyme kinetics, substrate specificity, and lipid regulation. As an ether lipid analog, it is instrumental in studying lipid signaling pathways and receptor-ligand interactions. Its structural similarity to natural lipids allows it to interact with specific lipid-binding proteins and receptors, providing valuable data on the molecular mechanisms underlying lipid signaling and protein-lipid interactions. Researchers also utilize 1-O-Octadecyl-2-O-methyl-rac-glycerol in membrane biology studies due to its amphiphilic properties, which mimic the organization of lipids within cellular membranes. It enables the examination of lipid bilayer dynamics, lipid-protein interactions, and the role of ether lipids in membrane domains like lipid rafts. By incorporating this compound into model membrane systems, scientists gain crucial insights into the structural factors that affect membrane integrity and the impact of ether lipids on cellular processes.