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. 1970 Jul;66(3):615–621. doi: 10.1073/pnas.66.3.615

Biological Membrane Structure, I. The Protein Crystal Model for Membranes*

Garret Vanderkooi 1, David E Green 1,†
PMCID: PMC283094  PMID: 5269228

Abstract

A geometric model for the arrangement of phospholipid and protein in biological membrane systems has been proposed. The essential principle underlying this model is that when membrane proteins polymerize, the points of contact between proteins are few, and cavities lined with predominantly nonpolar amino acids are formed. Phospholipid molecules become oriented with the fatty chains inserted into the cavities while the polar heads remain on the surface of the membrane. This orientation applies to both faces of the membrane continuum. All the lipid known to be present in membranes can be accommodated in this manner. The body of evidence supporting this model has been presented.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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