Effect of ceramide structure on membrane biophysical properties: The role of acyl chain length and unsaturation

► Global biophysical behavior of long chain versus very long chain, and saturated versus unsaturated ceramide species are studied. ► Saturated ceramides have a stronger impact on membrane lateral organization. ► Ceramide chain asymmetry governs interdigitation independently of the degree of unsaturation. ► Ceramide interdigitation is the driven force behind tubular structure formation. ► Saturated-ceramide gel domains have a long range effect in increasing the order of the POPC-rich fluid phase.