Advances in the Understanding of Human Serum Albumin: From Molecular Characteristics to Clinical Applications
A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular and Translational Medicine".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2023) | Viewed by 199
Special Issue Editor
Interests: biochemistry; biophysics; cancer biology; drug discovery; human serum albumin
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Serum albumin, the most abundant protein in blood plasma, plays a crucial role in maintaining physiological homeostasis and performing various functions within the human body. This Special Issue aims to explore the molecular characteristics of serum albumin and delve into its biological implications, shedding light on its potential applications in medicine, biochemistry, and biotechnology.
Serum albumin is a globular protein with a molecular weight of approximately 66 kDa. It consists of a single polypeptide chain and is composed of three structurally homologous domains (albumin domains I, II, and III). With 17 disulfide bridges, serum albumin exhibits remarkable structural stability. Its high ligand-binding capacity allows for it to transport and deliver fatty acids, hormones, drugs, and metabolites throughout the body, ensuring their proper distribution and availability to target tissues.
Biological implications: Serum albumin serves as a carrier protein, influencing the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of hydrophobic molecules and drugs. It acts as a depot for ligands, regulating their availability and release. The interaction with fatty acids affects lipid metabolism, energy storage, and hormone signaling. Additionally, serum albumin exhibits antioxidant properties, protecting cells and maintaining redox balance.
Serum albumin is utilized as a prognostic marker in liver and kidney disorders due to its correlation with nutritional status and disease severity. Albumin-based drug delivery systems offer targeted therapy and controlled release. Engineered albumin variants with enhanced stability and ligand recognition have broadened their applications in diagnostics, therapeutics, and biotechnology.
This Special Issue invites researchers to contribute their original research, reviews, and perspectives on the molecular characteristics and biological implications of serum albumin. By deepening our understanding of its multifunctional role in human physiology, we can inspire advancements in medicine, biotechnology, and drug delivery systems.
Dr. Gokara Mahesh
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- human serum albumin
- molecular characteristics
- biological implications
- protein function
- ligand binding
- drug delivery
- clinical applications
- drug discovery
- therapeutic potential
- protein–protein interactions
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