Question

Hydropathy plot analysis of a protein of interest reveals a single, prominent hydrophobic peak. However, it is later discovered that this protein is soluble and not membrane associated. What may have caused the hydropathy plot to be misleading?

Answer 1

The hydropathy plot will be misleading when there is a stretch of hydrophobic amino acids like the ones seen in transmembrane helices due to the alpha helix that goes through the protein hydrophobic core.