Methyl 10-methylundecanoate (CAS 5129-56-6)

Methyl 10-methylundecanoate is a branched-chain fatty acid methyl ester that has been widely studied for its distinctive structural properties and its impact on lipid metabolism and membrane dynamics. This compound, characterized by a methyl group at the 10th carbon position, integrates into lipid bilayers, influencing their fluidity, phase behavior, and structural organization. Research has shown that the incorporation of methyl 10-methylundecanoate into cellular membranes can alter the function of membrane-associated proteins, including enzymes, receptors, and transporters. These changes can affect various cellular processes such as signal transduction, membrane transport, and metabolic regulation. In biochemical studies, methyl 10-methylundecanoate serves as a substrate to investigate the activity and specificity of enzymes involved in the biosynthesis and modification of branched-chain fatty acids, such as elongases and desaturases. Its unique branched structure provides valuable insights into the enzymatic mechanisms and regulatory pathways controlling the synthesis and modification of branched-chain fatty acids. Additionally, methyl 10-methylundecanoate is utilized as a reference standard in analytical chemistry, particularly in gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), for the identification and quantification of branched-chain fatty acids in complex biological samples. Overall, this compound is a crucial tool in lipidomics, enhancing our understanding of lipid metabolism, membrane structure, and the functional roles of branched-chain fatty acids in biological systems.