Which of the following types of protein would be most easily

Which of the following types of protein would be most easily removed from a membrane by changing the pH?

A-Transmembrane/integral protein

B-Protein attached/peripheral protein

C-Fatty acid-anchored protein

D-Monolayer assocaiated protein

Solution

Answer : The correct answer is B (Protein attached/peripheral protein)

This is due to the fact that peripheral proteins/extrinsic proteins have a weaker association and are bound to lipids of membrane by electrostatic interactions. They can be released by relatively mild treatments that
interfere with electrostatic interactions or break hydrogen bonds; a commonly used agent is carbonate at high pH

whereas, transmembrane proteins tend to associate firmly with the membrane. Integral proteins are very firmly associated with the membrane, removable only by agents that interfere with hydrophobic interactions,such as detergents, organic solvents, or denaturants