Abstract
The structures and physical properties of branched long chain bases of sphingolipids in the lipid bilayer of Euhadra hickonis were investigated.
From the analytical results of GC and GC/MS, the structure of the main branched long chain base of E. hickonis was 2-amino-16-methyl-octadecene-1, 3-diol.
In the mass spectra of the aldehydes and methyl ethers derived from branched long chain bases, it was shown that the fragment ions at m/z 56 and 70 were characteristic of iso-and anteiso-structures, respectively, from the heats of formation of those fragment ions by molecular orbital calculation using AM1 and PM 3.
The molecular mechanics of the methyl ether and fatty acid methyl ester derived from branched long chain bases were studied using MM 2. As the results, anteiso form in the hydrocarbon chains of long chain bases were confirmed to increase the lipid bilayer fluidity.
From the evolutional and biological aspects of Pulmonata and Opisthobranchia in gastropoda, long chain bases of sphingolipids from Aplysia juliana in Opisthobranchia were also investigated.
