SOLUBILIZATION OF PROTEINS IN MEMBRANES

The solubility of proteins in membranes depends both on the protein pr operties and membrane characteristics. In this paper, we calculate the concentration of membrane inclusions as a function of their concentra tion in solution and the physical properties of the membrane. We find that the membrane deformation plays a key role in determining the adso rption. When there is no thickness mismatch between the inclusions and the membrane, the effective adsorption energy decreases with the lipi d spontaneous curvature and hence strongly favors protein adsorption i nto the membrane.