1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylethanolamine, (z & r)-isomer

Description

## 1-Palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (POPE)

**1-Palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (POPE)** is a type of phospholipid, a major component of cell membranes. It's a **zwitterionic molecule**, meaning it carries both positive and negative charges.

**Structure:**

* **1-palmitoyl:** The first fatty acid chain is palmitic acid, a saturated 16-carbon fatty acid.
* **2-oleoyl:** The second fatty acid chain is oleic acid, an unsaturated 18-carbon fatty acid with a cis double bond.
* **Phosphatidylethanolamine:** This is the backbone of the phospholipid, consisting of glycerol, a phosphate group, and ethanolamine.

**Z and R isomers:**

The z and r notation refers to the **stereoisomers** of the oleic acid moiety. The presence of a cis double bond in oleic acid creates two possible configurations:

* **Z (cis) isomer:** The hydrogen atoms on the carbons involved in the double bond are on the same side of the molecule. This is the naturally occurring isomer.
* **R (trans) isomer:** The hydrogen atoms on the carbons involved in the double bond are on opposite sides of the molecule.

**Importance in research:**

POPE, particularly the **Z isomer**, is a very important molecule in research for various reasons:

* **Model membrane studies:** POPE is a key component of **model membranes**, such as liposomes and vesicles, which are used to study membrane properties and interactions with other molecules. Its structure allows it to form stable bilayers, mimicking the structure of biological membranes.
* **Lipid-protein interactions:** POPE plays a crucial role in lipid-protein interactions. It can form **complexes with proteins**, affecting their function and localization.
* **Drug delivery:** Liposomes made of POPE are used as **drug delivery systems**. They encapsulate drugs and deliver them to specific targets in the body.
* **Understanding membrane dynamics:** POPE's unique properties allow researchers to study **membrane fluidity, phase transitions, and other dynamic aspects** of cell membranes.
* **Nanotechnology:** POPE is also used in the development of **nanomaterials** and **biosensors**, taking advantage of its amphiphilic nature and ability to interact with various molecules.

**In summary:**

POPE is a crucial molecule in research, particularly in the fields of membrane biology, drug delivery, and nanotechnology. Its specific structure and properties make it an ideal model system for understanding membrane function and developing novel therapeutic strategies.

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

1-hexadecanoyl-2-(9Z-octadecenoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine : A 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine in which the 1- and 2-acyl groups are specified as hexadecanoyl (palmitoyl) and 9Z-octadecenoyl (oleoyl) respectively. [Chemical Entities of Biological Interest (ChEBI), Hastings J, Owen G, Dekker A, Ennis M, Kale N, Muthukrishnan V, Turner S, Swainston N, Mendes P, Steinbeck C. (2016). ChEBI in 2016: Improved services and an expanding collection of metabolites. Nucleic Acids Res]