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Hexagonal Patterns in Cell Membranes

Nature volume 200, pages 89–90 (1963)Cite this article

Abstract

Dourmashkin, Dougherty and Harris1 demonstrated a hexagonal pattern on some viral and mammalian membranes treated with saponin. They took the view that the pattern was revealed by the removal of certain lipid components and suggested that their observation supported the mosaic structure proposed for cell membranes by Parpart and Ballentine2 in which lipid cylinders, 90 Å in diameter and spaced at 150 Å centre to centre, are enclosed in a protein mesh. Muir3 has produced the same effect in the plasma membrane of rat intestinal epithelium by in vivo treatment with saponin.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dominion Physical Laboratory, Lower Hutt, New Zealand

    W. S. BERTAUD

  2. Department of Zoology, British Museum (Natural History), Cromwell Road, London, S.W.7

    R. H. HEDLEY

Authors
  1. W. S. BERTAUD
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  2. R. H. HEDLEY
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BERTAUD, W., HEDLEY, R. Hexagonal Patterns in Cell Membranes. Nature 200, 89–90 (1963). https://doi.org/10.1038/200089b0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/200089b0

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