peripheral membrane protein

English

Noun

peripheral membrane protein (countable and uncountable, plural peripheral membrane proteins)

1. (biochemistry) Any of a class of proteins that adhere only temporarily to the biological membrane with which they are associated.
   • 2000. Lodish H, Berk A, Zipursky SL, et al. Molecular Cell Biology. 4th edition. New York: W. H. Freeman; 2000. Section 3.4, Membrane Proteins. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK21570/

     Peripheral membrane proteins, or extrinsic proteins, do not interact with the hydrophobic core of the phospholipid bilayer.

   • 2005, J. William Krause, Krause's Essential Human Histology for Medical Students, page 8:

     Peripheral membrane proteins can attach to the surface of the plasmalemma by ionic interactions with an integral protein, another peripheral membrane protein, or by interaction with the polar head groups of the phospholipids.

Synonyms

• extrinsic protein