Common Serum Albumin
Common serum albumin (CSA) is a type of protein that is found in high concentrations in blood plasma. It is synthesized in the liver and plays a crucial role in regulating osmotic pressure in the body, as well as transporting various substances such as hormones, fatty acids, and drugs.
The molecular weight of CSA is approximately 66 kDa and it consists of three homologous domains, each containing two subdomains. The protein has a high degree of flexibility and can undergo conformational changes depending on its environment.
CSA is commonly used in medical settings as a therapeutic agent to treat a variety of conditions such as burns, shock, and hypoalbuminemia. It can also be used as a carrier protein in drug delivery systems due to its ability to bind various substances.
In terms of its structure, CSA is composed of mostly alpha-helices with some beta-sheets and turns. It contains 585 amino acids and has a net negative charge at physiological pH due to the presence of acidic amino acid residues.
Overall, CSA is an important protein in the body that serves multiple functions and has potential applications in medicine and drug delivery.