In whole HDL particles, the arrangement of apoA-I relative to phospholipids is of crucial interest with respect to the physiological formations of HDL. We report here new data concerning the nature of the interaction of apoA-I with condensed phospholipid (PL) monolayers (phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine). The use of alternative current polarography allowed the detection for the first time of different binding steps which are dependent on apoA-I concentration. At low concentration (below 10 micrograms/mL), apoA-I adsorbs on PL polar headgroups, through electrostatic interactions. Above this threshold concentration, apoA-I penetrates within the monolayer (i.e., part of apoA-I crosses the PL polar headgroup/hydrocarbon chain interface). The process of penetration described here brings experimental evidence supporting Segrest's "snorkel" model. Penetrated helices are lying at the interface, their apolar face in contact with PL hydrocarbon chains and their polar face in contact with PL polar headgroups. In the absence of cholesterol, a second level of penetration was detected at higher apoA-I concentrations. It was facilitated in the presence of phosphatidylserine in comparison to phosphatidylcholine and disappeared in the presence of cholesterol. It is proposed that the C-terminal domain is involved in the first binding steps and that hinged domains may also be implicated. Furthermore, we propose that the apoA-I binding states stabilize the protein/phospholipid layer complex. These different binding states are discussed with respect to their roles in HDL metabolism.