Albumins are a group of acidic proteins which occur in the body fluids and tissues of mammals and in some plant seeds. Serum and plasma albumin is carbohydrate free and comprises 55-62% of the protein present. However, only about 40% of the total albumin in the body is in the circulating plasma at one time with the remainder being in extracellular spaces with which there is, in general, equilibration about every 24 hours. Bovine albumin is a single polypeptide chain consisting of approximately 583 to 595 amino acid residues and no carbohydrates. At pH 5-7 it contains 17 intrachain disulfide bridges and 1 sulfhydryl group.
Application Notes
Albumin binds water, Ca2+, Na+ and K+. Due to a hydrophobic cleft, albumin binds fatty acids, bilirubin, hormones and drugs. The main biological function of albumin is to regulate the colloidal osmotic pressure of blood and to a lesser degree to provide cellular nutrition. Human and bovine albumins contain 16% nitrogen and are often used as standards in protein calibration studies. Albumin is used to solubilize lipids, stabilize protein solutions, and is also used as a blocking agent in Western blots or ELISA applications. Globulin free albumins are suitable for use in applications where no other proteins should be present such as electrophoresis.
Usage Statement
Unless specified otherwise, MP Biomedical's products are for research or further manufacturing use only, not for direct human use. For more information, please contact our customer service department.
Key Applications
Regulate the colloidal osmotic pressure of blood used to solubilize lipids | Stabilize protein solutions | Blocking agent