Lipids

Lipids are hydrophobic or amphipathic molecules that build cell membranes, store energy and act as signaling mediators. Their structures range from simple fatty acids to complex sphingolipids, and this diversity underlies roles in membrane organization, metabolism and inflammation. Some lipids, such as the fatty acid arachidonic acid, are also precursors of signaling molecules including eicosanoids. Defined lipid compounds are used to study membrane biophysics, lipid metabolism and lipid-protein interactions, and as standards in lipidomics measurements.

This section organizes lipid compounds by class, following the main categories of current lipid classification schemes. Fatty Acids & Derivatives covers saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, their esters and related metabolites. Glycerolipids lists acylglycerols, whereas Phospholipids lists glycerophospholipids together with related metabolites. Sphingolipids covers lipids built on a sphingoid base, such as ceramides, and Sterols covers cholesterol and structurally related compounds. Other Lipids holds compounds outside these classes, while lipid formulations such as liposomes are listed separately under Liposome.