12-(9-anthroyl)stearic acid

12-(9-Anthroyl)stearic acid (12-AS) is a **fluorescent probe** used in various research areas, primarily in **membrane biology and biophysics**. Here's a breakdown of its structure and importance:

**Structure:**

* **Stearic acid:** A saturated fatty acid with 18 carbon atoms. It forms the long, hydrophobic tail of the molecule.
* **Anthroyl group:** A fluorescent aromatic group attached to the 9th carbon of the anthracene molecule. This group provides the molecule its fluorescent properties.
* **Position 12:** The anthroyl group is attached to the 12th carbon of the stearic acid chain, placing the fluorescent probe within the hydrophobic region of membranes.

**Importance in Research:**

1. **Membrane Structure and Dynamics:**
* **Membrane fluidity:** 12-AS can report on membrane fluidity by changes in its fluorescence polarization.
* **Lipid phase transitions:** Changes in the fluorescence intensity or lifetime of 12-AS can indicate lipid phase transitions within membranes.
* **Membrane organization:** 12-AS can be used to study membrane domains and their interactions with proteins.

2. **Protein-Lipid Interactions:**
* **Lipid binding sites:** 12-AS can be used to identify and characterize lipid binding sites on proteins.
* **Membrane protein dynamics:** The probe can help study how membrane proteins interact with lipids and move within the membrane.

3. **Cell Biology:**
* **Membrane trafficking:** 12-AS can track the movement of membranes and vesicles within cells.
* **Cell signaling:** The probe can be used to study the role of lipids in cell signaling pathways.

**Key Features of 12-AS:**

* **Hydrophobic:** The long stearic acid tail allows 12-AS to insert into the hydrophobic core of membranes.
* **Fluorescent:** The anthroyl group emits fluorescence, which can be measured and used to study membrane properties.
* **Relatively non-perturbing:** 12-AS is a relatively small molecule that does not significantly disrupt the membrane structure.

**Overall, 12-(9-Anthroyl)stearic acid is a valuable tool for researchers studying membrane structure, dynamics, and interactions with proteins. Its ability to provide fluorescence information about lipid environments makes it a powerful probe for understanding the complex biology of membranes.**