Structure of cytochrome c complexes with phospholipids as revealed by resonance energy transfer.

Resonance energy transfer between a series of lipid-bound fluorescent probes as donors and the heme group of cytochrome c as acceptor has been used to obtain structural information on the protein complexes with model membranes, composed of phosphatidylcholine and cardiolipin. Analysis of experimental data in terms of the model of energy transfer in two-dimensional systems provides further evidence for preferential cytochrome c orientation with respect to the lipid bilayer and penetration of the protein into the membrane interior.