One hundred years of membrane permeability: does Overton still rule?

Abstract

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.