Methyl 15-methylpalmitate (CAS 6929-04-0)

Methyl 15-methylpalmitate is a branched-chain fatty acid methyl ester that has been investigated for its unique structural properties and implications in lipid research. This compound, characterized by a methyl group at the 15th carbon position, is used to study the effects of branched-chain lipids on membrane dynamics and lipid-protein interactions. Research has shown that methyl 15-methylpalmitate can integrate into lipid bilayers, altering their fluidity and phase behavior. These changes can influence the function of membrane-bound proteins, such as enzymes and receptors, impacting various cellular processes including signal transduction and membrane transport. In biochemical studies, methyl 15-methylpalmitate serves as a substrate to investigate the activity and specificity of enzymes involved in fatty acid metabolism, such as elongases and desaturases. Its branched structure makes it a valuable model for understanding the biosynthetic pathways and regulatory mechanisms that govern the production and modification of branched-chain fatty acids. Additionally, this compound is utilized in analytical chemistry as a reference standard in gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for the identification and quantification of branched-chain fatty acids in complex biological samples. Overall, methyl 15-methylpalmitate is a critical tool in lipidomics, advancing our understanding of the structural and functional roles of branched-chain fatty acids in biological membranes and their broader implications in cellular biochemistry.