1-palmitoyl-2-(decanedioyl mono-(2-iodo-4-(3-trifluoromethyl-3h-diazirin-3-yl)benzyl)ester)glycero-3-phosphocholine

Description

## 1-Palmitoyl-2-(decanedioyl mono-(2-iodo-4-(3-trifluoromethyl-3H-diazirin-3-yl)benzyl)ester)glycero-3-phosphocholine (C16-DiI-C10)

This is a complex and rather long chemical name, but it describes a specialized **phospholipid** with specific properties that make it useful in research. Let's break down its components:

* **1-Palmitoyl-2-(decanedioyl)**: This refers to the fatty acid chains attached to the glycerol backbone of the phospholipid.
* **Palmitoyl** is a 16-carbon saturated fatty acid.
* **Decanedioyl** is a 10-carbon diacid with two carbonyl groups.
* **mono-(2-iodo-4-(3-trifluoromethyl-3H-diazirin-3-yl)benzyl)ester**: This is the crucial part that gives the molecule its unique properties. It's a bulky, **photoactivatable** group attached to the decanedioyl chain.
* **Iodo** refers to the iodine atom, which is a heavy atom used for visualization (e.g., in electron microscopy).
* **Diazirine** is a highly reactive group that can be activated by light, causing it to form a highly reactive carbene species. This carbene can then bind covalently to nearby molecules.
* **glycero-3-phosphocholine**: This is the basic structure of a phospholipid, consisting of glycerol linked to a phosphate group and choline.

**So, what does it do?**

C16-DiI-C10 is a **photoactivatable lipid analog** that is used to study membrane dynamics and protein interactions. It works by:

1. **Incorporation into membranes:** The phospholipid structure allows it to be incorporated into cell membranes, mimicking the behavior of natural lipids.
2. **Photoactivation:** When exposed to light, the diazirine group becomes activated and forms a carbene.
3. **Covalent labeling:** This reactive carbene can bind covalently to nearby molecules, including proteins and other lipids.

**Why is it important for research?**

This unique combination of features makes C16-DiI-C10 a powerful tool for:

* **Mapping membrane domains:** By labeling specific lipid regions, researchers can study the organization and dynamics of cellular membranes.
* **Identifying protein-lipid interactions:** By covalently linking to nearby proteins, C16-DiI-C10 can reveal which proteins interact with specific lipid species.
* **Investigating membrane fluidity:** The photoactivation process can be used to study the lateral diffusion of lipids and proteins within the membrane.
* **Studying membrane trafficking:** The photoactivated label can be used to track the movement of membrane vesicles and organelles within the cell.

Overall, C16-DiI-C10 is a versatile tool that has been widely used in biological research to investigate a wide range of cellular processes related to membrane structure, function, and dynamics.

1-palmitoyl-2-(decanedioyl mono-(2-iodo-4-(3-trifluoromethyl-3H-diazirin-3-yl)benzyl)ester)glycero-3-phosphocholine: used to label viral proteins; RN refers to (125I)-labeled compound; structure in first source [Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), National Library of Medicine, extracted Dec-2023]