Globulin
Encyclopedia
Globulin is one of the three types of serum
protein
s, the others being albumin
and fibrinogen
. Some globulins are produced in the liver, while others are made by the immune system. The term globulin encompasses a heterogeneous group of proteins with typical high molecular weight, and both solubility and electrophoretic migration rates lower than for albumin. The normal concentration in blood is 2.2 to 3.9 g/dl.
It is sometimes used synonymously with globular protein
. However, albumin is also a globular protein, but not a globulin. All other serum globular proteins are globulins.
Protein electrophoresis
is used to categorize globulins into the following four categories:
of globulins that are soluble in ammonium sulfate
solution more so than the euglobulin fraction. Pseudoglobulins are soluble in pure water
, whereas euglobulins are insoluble under the same circumstances.
Blood plasma
Blood plasma is the straw-colored liquid component of blood in which the blood cells in whole blood are normally suspended. It makes up about 55% of the total blood volume. It is the intravascular fluid part of extracellular fluid...
protein
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
s, the others being albumin
Serum albumin
Serum albumin, often referred to simply as albumin is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ALB gene.Serum albumin is the most abundant plasma protein in mammals. Albumin is essential for maintaining the osmotic pressure needed for proper distribution of body fluids between intravascular...
and fibrinogen
Fibrinogen
Fibrinogen is a soluble plasma glycoprotein, synthesised by the liver, that is converted by thrombin into fibrin during blood coagulation. This is achieved through processes in the coagulation cascade that activate the zymogen prothrombin to the serine protease thrombin, which is responsible for...
. Some globulins are produced in the liver, while others are made by the immune system. The term globulin encompasses a heterogeneous group of proteins with typical high molecular weight, and both solubility and electrophoretic migration rates lower than for albumin. The normal concentration in blood is 2.2 to 3.9 g/dl.
It is sometimes used synonymously with globular protein
Globular protein
Globular proteins, or spheroproteins are one of the two main protein classes, comprising "globe"-like proteins that are more or less soluble in aqueous solutions...
. However, albumin is also a globular protein, but not a globulin. All other serum globular proteins are globulins.
Protein electrophoresis
Protein electrophoresis
Protein electrophoresis is a method for analysing the proteins in a fluid or an extract. The electrophoresis may be performed with a small volume of sample in a number of alternative ways with or without a supporting medium: SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis Protein electrophoresis is a method...
is used to categorize globulins into the following four categories:
- Alpha 1 globulins
- Alpha 2 globulins
- Beta globulinsBeta globulinsBeta globulins are a group of globular proteins in plasma thatare more mobile in alkaline or electrically charged solutions than gamma globulins, but less mobile than alpha globulins. Beta globin is on chromosome 11.Examples of beta globulins include:...
- Gamma globulins (one group of gamma globulins are immunoglobulins, that function as antibodiesAntibodyAn antibody, also known as an immunoglobulin, is a large Y-shaped protein used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects such as bacteria and viruses. The antibody recognizes a unique part of the foreign target, termed an antigen...
)
Pseudoglobulins and euglobulins
Pseudoglobulins are a fractionFraction (chemistry)
A fraction in chemistry is a quantity collected from a sample or batch of a substance in a fractionating separation process. In such a process, a mixture is separated into fractions, which have compositions that vary according to a gradient. A fraction can be defined as a group of chemicals that...
of globulins that are soluble in ammonium sulfate
Ammonium sulfate
Ammonium sulfate , 2SO4, is an inorganic salt with a number of commercial uses. The most common use is as a soil fertilizer. It contains 21% nitrogen as ammonium cations, and 24% sulfur as sulfate anions...
solution more so than the euglobulin fraction. Pseudoglobulins are soluble in pure water
Water
Water is a chemical substance with the chemical formula H2O. A water molecule contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms connected by covalent bonds. Water is a liquid at ambient conditions, but it often co-exists on Earth with its solid state, ice, and gaseous state . Water also exists in a...
, whereas euglobulins are insoluble under the same circumstances.