title: Functional rafts in cell membranes.
abstract: A new aspect of cell membrane structure is presented, based on the dynamic clustering of sphingolipids and cholesterol to form rafts that move within the fluid bilayer. It is proposed that these rafts function as platforms for the attachment of proteins when membranes are moved around inside the cell and during signal transduction.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Simons
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ikonen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000502:physiology; D003902:Detergents; D006056:Golgi Apparatus / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000502:physiology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D012995:Solubility; D013107:Sphingolipids / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D003902:Detergents; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D013107:Sphingolipids; D002784:Cholesterol