Structure and properties of ovalbumin
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Updated: Sep 12, 2026

From Constructs to Crystals – Towards Structure Determination of β-barrel Outer Membrane Proteins
Published on: July 4, 2016
1University of Cambridge, Department of Haematology, Cambridge, UK.
Abstract:
Ovalbumin is a protein of unknown function found in large quantities in avian egg-white. Surprisingly, ovalbumin belongs to the serpin family although it lacks any protease inhibitory activity. We review here what is known about the amino acid sequence, post-translational modifications and tertiary structure of ovalbumin. The properties of ovalbumin are discussed in relation to their possible functional significance. These include reasons for failure of ovalbumin to undergo a typical serpin conformational change involving the reactive centre loop, which explains why ovalbumin is not a protease inhibitor, and also the natural conversion of ovalbumin to the more stable "S" form.
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