One hundred years of membrane permeability: does Overton still rule?
The Overton Rule states that entry of any molecule into a cell is governed by its lipid solubility. Overton's studies led to the hypothesis that cell membranes are composed of lipid domains, which mediate transport of lipophilic molecules, and protein 'pores', which transport hydrophilic molecules. Recent studies, however, have shown that hydrophobic molecules are also transported by families of transporter proteins.
Al-Awqati
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Qais Al-Awqati is at the Departments of Medicine and Physiology, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, 630 West 168th Street, New York, New York 10032, USA. qa1@columbia.edu
D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / Q000266:history / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D020346:Aquaporins / Q000266:history / Q000378:metabolism; D001692:Biological Transport; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000266:history / Q000378:metabolism; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability; D049673:History, 20th Century; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000737:chemistry; D008954:Models, Biological; D012995:Solubility
D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1; D020346:Aquaporins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008055:Lipids