1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-ethylphosphocholine

Description

1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-ethylphosphocholine (DPPC-Et) is a synthetic phospholipid that is closely related to a naturally occurring phospholipid called 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC).

**Here's a breakdown of its structure and importance:**

**Structure:**

* **Dipalmitoyl:** It indicates two palmitic acid molecules (saturated fatty acids with 16 carbons each) attached to the glycerol backbone.
* **sn-Glycero:** This refers to the glycerol molecule, a three-carbon alcohol.
* **3-Ethylphosphocholine:** This indicates an ethyl group attached to the phosphate group, which is in turn linked to choline.

**Importance in Research:**

DPPC-Et plays a significant role in research due to its unique properties and applications:

* **Lipid Bilayer Model:** DPPC-Et is used extensively to study the structure and properties of lipid bilayers, which are the fundamental building blocks of cell membranes. It forms stable bilayers in aqueous solutions, allowing researchers to investigate the interactions between lipids, proteins, and other molecules within a membrane-like environment.
* **Drug Delivery:** The ability of DPPC-Et to form liposomes (tiny spherical vesicles enclosed by a lipid bilayer) makes it valuable for drug delivery research. Liposomes can encapsulate drugs and deliver them specifically to target cells or tissues, enhancing drug efficacy and reducing side effects.
* **Biocompatibility:** DPPC-Et is considered biocompatible, meaning it is well-tolerated by the body and doesn't elicit significant immune responses. This makes it suitable for applications involving living systems, such as drug delivery and cell culture studies.
* **Surface Properties:** The chemical structure of DPPC-Et, with its hydrophobic tail and hydrophilic head, imparts specific surface properties. This allows it to form self-assembled monolayers on surfaces, which are useful in various applications like biosensors, microfluidics, and coatings.

**Key Differences from DPPC:**

DPPC-Et differs from DPPC by the presence of an ethyl group in the phosphocholine head. This modification alters the properties of the molecule slightly, making it more stable in solution and less prone to degradation.

**Overall, DPPC-Et is a valuable tool in research, particularly in the fields of membrane biology, drug delivery, and biomaterials. Its ability to form stable lipid bilayers, encapsulate molecules, and be biocompatible makes it a versatile and widely used phospholipid.**

1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-ethylphosphocholine: structure in first source [Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), National Library of Medicine, extracted Dec-2023]