Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Tracking Single Proteins in Lipid Bilayers Using Fluorescence Microscopy
Published on: December 12, 2025
Adsorption of proteins on a lipid bilayer
Vladimir P Zhdanov1, Bengt Kasemo
1Department of Applied Physics, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96 Göteborg, Sweden. zhdanov@catalysis.ru
Abstract:
In our analysis of protein adsorption on a lipid bilayer, the protein surface is considered to contain one or a few charged spots, and the bilayer contains a significant amount of lipids with oppositely charged head groups. After adsorption, a folded protein is assumed to change its shape slightly due to the electrostatic attraction, so that one of the spots forms a flat contact with the oppositely charged lipid heads of the lipid bilayer. With realistic parameters, this model predicts that the contribution of electrostatic interactions to the protein adsorption energy per charged amino acid-lipid pair is 16-25 kJ/mol. Thus, a few (four or five) pairs is sufficient for irreversible adsorption.
Related Concept Videos
Protein Diffusion in the Membrane
Lipids as Anchors
The carboxy-terminal of most of the prenylated proteins, such as Ras proteins, contains the...
Mechanisms of Membrane Domain Formation
Another mechanism for membrane domain formation involves membrane proteins interacting with cytoskeletal...
Introduction to Membrane Proteins
Membrane Fluidity
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is a relatively...
Membrane Domains
Protein Domains
The membrane comprises a group of distinct proteins responsible for carrying out a cell's specific function. For example, the plasma membrane of the human sperm, or a single germ cell, contains a unique set of proteins in the anterior...

