Membrane protein

Definition

The term membrane protein is used for a protein that interacts with a biological membrane. Membrane proteins could be one of these:

Integral membrane proteins -- these are proteins permanently attached to a biological membrane
Peripheral membrane proteins -- these are proteins that interact with a biological membrane but are not permanently attached to it

Concept	Meaning	Relationship with membrane protein
integral membrane protein	protein permanently attached to a biological membrane
peripheral membrane protein	protein that interacts with a biological membrane without being attached to it
transmembrane protein	protein attached to both sides of the lipid bilayer of a biological membrane	(via integral membrane protein)
integral monotopic protein	protein attached to one side of the lipid bilayer of a biological membrane	(via integral membrane protein)
membrane transport protein	protein that facilitates transport across a membrane	(via transmembrane protein)