Membrane properties of and cholesterol's interactions with a biologically relevant three-chain sphingomyelin: 3O-palmitoyl-N-palmitoyl-D-erythro-sphingomyelin

► Newborn mammals have saturated 3O-acyl sphingomyelins in their plasma. ► We made 3O-palmitoyl palmitoylsphingomyelin and studied its membrane properties. ► The SM analog formed highly ordered domains in fluid bilayers. ► Cholesterol was able to interact with the SM analog, and formed liquid-ordered phase. ► We speculate that 3O-acyl SM is important in membranes as a super-ordered lipid.