4ME 16:0 PC 850356 1,2-diphytanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine
4ME 16:0 PC is 1,2-diphytanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPhPC), a synthetic phosphatidylcholine containing branched, tetramethylated phytanoyl acyl chains. As a structurally defined phospholipid with exceptional lipid bilayer stability, DPhPC is widely used to produce stable planar lipid membranes for electrophysiology, membrane protein reconstitution, and single-channel recording studies.
Product overview
Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is a zwitterionic glycerophospholipid composed of a glycerol backbone esterified to two fatty acids and a phosphocholine headgroup. PCs are major structural components of biological membranes and are frequently incorporated into model lipid bilayer systems.
Diphytanoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPhPC) differs from most naturally occurring eukaryotic PCs in that it contains two diphytanoyl fatty acid chains, each bearing methyl branches along the carbon backbone. The methyl-branched structure imparts distinct physical properties, including reduced ion permeability and improved mechanical stability. DPhPC is commonly selected for black lipid membranes and single-channel recording systems, including single-channel recordings and reconstitution assays.
Unlike many short-chain, multi-unsaturated phospholipids, in this case, the phosphatidylcholine does not exhibit a detectable gel-to-liquid crystalline phase transition from −120 °C to +120 °C, allowing membranes formed from this lipid to remain in a fluid state across a broad experimental temperature range.
Applications
- Planar lipid bilayers & electrophysiology: DPhPC is used to form stable planar lipid membranes for single-channel recordings, ion selectivity measurements, and other electrophysiological studies.
- Membrane protein reconstitution: It supports the formation of freestanding lipid bilayers for the functional characterization of ion channels, pores, and membrane-active peptides.
- Droplet interface and droplet-hydrogel bilayers (DIB/DHB): DPhPC is incorporated into artificial bilayer platforms for protein reconstitution and experimental screening workflows.
- Nanopore and transmembrane transport studies: Its low baseline conductance and mechanical stability make it suitable for high-resolution measurements of transmembrane transport.
- Protein–lipid interaction studies: DPhPC-based model membrane systems are used in experiments where bilayer stability and minimal leak currents are critical.
Formulation & handling
Store at -20°C. This lipid is not hygroscopic or light-sensitive under standard lab conditions, but good lipid practice still applies: cap tightly, work quickly, and avoid prolonged exposure to harsh acidic or alkaline conditions, as these can accelerate ester hydrolysis. For stock preparation, 4ME 16:0 PC is typically dissolved in chloroform or chloroform:methanol mixtures (e.g., 65:25:4 chloroform:methanol:water) at 5 mg/mL prior to membrane incorporation. As with most phospholipids, it exhibits limited solubility in polar solvents such as ethanol or DMSO.
No special precautions beyond standard lipid handling practices are required when working with DPhPC under typical laboratory conditions.
Related products
If your assay requires ether-linked analogs or other lipids containing diphytanoyl fatty acid, explore similar items in the Avanti Research™ Diphytanoyl Lipids range.
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