1-O-Palmityl-2-palmitoyl-rac-glycero-3-phosphocholine (CAS 84743-00-0)

1-O-Palmityl-2-palmitoyl-rac-glycero-3-phosphocholine, often referred to by its abbreviation, POPC, is a synthetic phospholipid widely utilized in research to model cellular membranes. As a diacyl phosphatidylcholine, POPC closely mimics the lipid composition found in the outer leaflet of mammalian plasma membranes, making it an ideal candidate for studies on membrane structure, dynamics, and function. The molecule consists of a glycerol backbone esterified with two fatty acid chains, palmitic acid at both the sn-1 and sn-2 positions, and a phosphocholine group at the sn-3 position, providing it with amphipathic properties. This structure allows POPC to spontaneously form bilayers in aqueous environments, creating artificial membranes that serve as simplified systems for experimental investigations. Researchers employ POPC to explore fundamental aspects of lipid behavior, such as vesicle formation, bilayer fluidity, and the role of cholesterol in modulating membrane properties. Additionally, POPC is instrumental in studying the interactions between lipids and proteins, offering insights into how proteins insert and function within the lipid bilayer. Its use in creating large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) and multilamellar vesicles (MLVs) has been crucial in biophysical experiments, aiding in the understanding of mechanisms like lipid packing and the permeability characteristics of lipid assemblies, thereby enriching our understanding of membrane-associated biological processes without involving the complex variables present in living organisms.