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Serum Albumin
Exploring the Structure
A series of human serum albumin structures that show how different fatty acids bind to the protein are available in the PDB. On the first page of this Molecule of the Month, there are seven molecules of a saturated fatty acid bound to the protein. Some can be seen peeking out from the surface. The structure shown here, from PDB entry 1gnj, has seven molecules of arachidonic acid bound to it. The protein is shown with blue tubes and the fatty acids are shown with spheres at each atom. As you explore this structure, notice how the protein chain surrounds the carbon-rich tails of the fatty acids, shielding them from the surrounding water. Arachidonic acid is an unsaturated fatty acid with several double bonds that form rigid kinks in the carbon chain. It is important for the construction of molecular messengers used to signal pain and inflammation.This image was created with RasMol. You can create similar images by clicking on the accession codes above and picking one of the options under View Structure.
A list of all serum albumin structures in the PDB as of January, 2003, is available here. For more information on serum albumin, click here.
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Last changed by: A.Honegger,