1-Stearoyl-2-myristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (SMPC) is a phospholipid with stearoyl and myristoyl acyl chains. This phosphocholine can be used to compose liposomes for the study of membrane bilayers. Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is generally the most abundant lipid in animal cell membranes providing structural framework. PC is more common in the outer leaflet where it functions as part of the permeability barrier. PC is also the primary substrate of Phospholipase D enzymes which produce the signaling lipids - phosphatidic acid and lysophosphatidic acid.
