1. Importance of Albumin

Question 1

what are the two major functions of human serum albumin

Answer 1

1. as a transporter of smaller, mostly hydrophobic molecules

2. contributes to 80% of the osmotic swelling of blood plasma

Question 2

what does electrophoresis on HSA indicate

Answer 2

proteins migrated through the field based on charge, shape and size

HSA produced the largest peak= HSA is the majority protein component in blood serum

Question 3

how are alpha helices packed in HSA

Answer 3

pairwise, hydrophobic residues pointing inwards to the core

Question 4

how many polypeptide chains in HSA

Answer 4

1 single polypeptide chain

Question 5

what type of bonds are found in the HSA polypeptide chains, what do they form between

Answer 5

disulphide bonds

form between cysteine residues

Question 6

how many domains in HSA, describe these

Answer 6

3 similar domains
with repetitive structures
large-small-large loop structures

Question 7

describe cys-34

Answer 7

a single-free sulfhydryl

can bind metal ions

Question 8

what is a pharmacological use of HSA

Answer 8

binding properties make It a useful transported of hormones and drugs

Question 9

describe the 3D structure of HSA

Answer 9

heart shape with 3 domains

Question 10

where do most drugs bind to HSA

Answer 10

in hydrophobic pockets

reactive cys-34 is an attachment point for drugs

Question 11

what is an advantage of methotrexate-HSA

Answer 11

has a slower accumulation/ release than methotrexate alone, allows a higher dosage to be used