Tetradecanoic Acid

Tetradecanoic Acid, also called Myristic acid, is a common saturated fatty acid with the molecular formula CH3(CH2)12C00H. Tetradecanoic acid is also found in spermaceti, the crystallized fraction of oil from the sperm whale.

Tetradecanoic acid is also commonly added co-translationally to the penultimate, nitrogen-terminus, glycine in receptor-associated kinases to confer the membrane localisation of the enzyme.

The Tetradecanoic acid has a sufciently high hydrophobicity to become incorporated into the fatty acyI core of the phospholipid bilayer of the plasma membrane of the eukaryotic cell.

In this way, Tetradecanoic acid acts as a lipid anchor in biomembranes.

Tetradecanoic acid exists as an oily white crystalline solid. It is found in all living organisms ranging from bacteria to plants to animals, and is found in most animal and vegetable fats, particularly butterfat, as well as coconut, palm, and nutmeg oils.