Green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) induced intermolecular cross-linking of membrane proteins

► EGCG and EGC are able to induce the aggregation of membrane proteins. ► A gallyl moiety is a prerequisite for a catechin to bind covalently to membrane proteins. ► EDTA and ascorbic acid inhibits protein aggregation by blocking the formation of catechol-quinone. ► Catechol-quinone acts as a cross-linker on which proteins are combined via thiol-S-alkylation.