Taking into account the steps for the folding pathway of α-helical membrane proteins and relating biophysical parameters to each of these steps, we create a score capable of predicting the propensity for membrane localization and call it FP3mem.

By creating a score (FP3mem) encompassing the biophysical parameters involved in the folding of α-helical transmembrane proteins, we provide a scale for measuring the propensity of protein sequences for localization within the plasma membrane. This parameter distinguishes membrane proteins from non-membrane proteins in various datasets, and powerfully competes with other methods. Furthermore, FP3mem quantifies a protein’s propensity for becoming an α-helical transmembrane protein.