1-Oleoyl-2-palmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (CAS 59491-62-2)

1-Oleoyl-2-palmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine is a phospholipid notable for its structural composition, where the first position of the glycerol backbone is esterified with oleic acid (a monounsaturated fatty acid), and the second position with palmitic acid (a saturated fatty acid), while the third position carries a phosphocholine group. This particular arrangement creates a molecule with distinct physical and chemical properties due to the combination of unsaturated and saturated fatty acids. This phospholipid is extensively used in the study of lipid bilayers and membrane dynamics, providing insights into the role of fatty acid composition on the physical properties of cellular membranes. In research, this molecule is instrumental in exploring how the heterogeneity of lipid chains affects factors such as membrane fluidity, phase behavior, and the formation of lipid domains or rafts. These studies are crucial for understanding the fundamental aspects of membrane structure and function, including the interaction between different types of lipids and their collective impact on membrane characteristics. The presence of both oleoyl and palmitoyl groups in 1-Oleoyl-2-palmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine makes it an ideal candidate for investigating the effects of lipid unsaturation on bilayer curvature and permeability, which are pivotal in non-medical applications such as the development of bio-inspired materials, lipid-based nanocarriers in material science, and the study of artificial cell membranes in biophysical research.