MP Biomedicals™ Albumin, Human, MP Biomedicals™

Albumins are a group of simple proteins found in the body fluids and tissues of animals and in some plant seeds. Serum and plasma albumin is carbohydrate-free and comprises 55-62% of the protein present. Structurally it is a single polypeptide chain with one free sulfhydryl group on residue no. 34, plus 17 intrachain disulfide bonds. Due to its high charge to mass ratio, albumin binds water, Ca2+, Na+, K+, fatty acids, bilirubin, hormones and drugs. Albumin is also seen to bind to exogenous substances, particularly drugs (e.g., ibuprofen, warfarin), and strongly influence their pharmacokinetics. Oxidative stress leading to changes in the redox state of albumin has widely varied effects on its physiological function.

The main biological function of albumin is to regulate the colloidal osmotic pressure of blood. Human and bovine albumins contain 16% nitrogen and are often used as standards in protein calibration studies. Due to their free hydrophobic region, fatty acid free albumins are used to solubilize lipids in tissue culture. They are also used as blocking agents in Western blots or ELISA applications. Globulin-free albumins are suitable for use in applications where no other proteins should be present (e.g., electrophoresis).