Albumin is a carrier protein that comprises roughly 50-60% of the protein in plasma.
Its function is to carry hydrophobic things (certain
cations, hormones, fatty acids, drugs) through the blood by “hiding” them in a
little cocoon that is hydrophobic (repel or “fear” water) on the inside and
hydrophilic (an affinity for water) on the outside. This way, the hydrophobic
things can be carried through the blood to places they are needed throughout
the body.
General info aside, the kitschy thing about albumin is that
it is heart-shaped! Moreover, the protein is held together by six cystine
bonds. Cystine refers to two cysteine amino acids bound by an ultra-strong
disulfur bridge. The disulfur bridge in cystine is the strongest intermolecular
interaction involved in shaping a protein (beyond a long chain of amino acids).
It is actually a covalent bond between two parts of the same amino acid chain
or two separate chains of amino acids. Now, cystine is not uncommon in
proteins, not at all. What makes it unique in albumin is the number of cystine.
Five to six cystine exist within this one, small to average-sized protein.
In short, albumin is an abundant, heart-shaped protein that
bear-hugs molecules that are shy or awkward in the blood environment (I imagine
the awkward person trying to –be- a lamp shade at a house party) and protects
them on their journey in the blood. So sweet!
No comments:
Post a Comment