Methemalbumin: reality and myth

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J W George1

  • 1The California Primate Research Center University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616.

Veterinary Clinical Pathology
|January 1, 1988
PubMed

Insights

Methemalbumin formation, often cited as a universal albumin trait, is actually limited to a few species. This review clarifies true methemalbumin characteristics and debunks its presence in domestic animals.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Comparative Physiology

Background:

  • Albumin's capacity to bind oxidized heme, forming methemalbumin, is widely assumed across animal species.
  • This assumption has led to the misconception of methemalbumin presence in domestic animals.
  • Interspecies variations in albumin's heme-binding properties are often overlooked.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the scientific literature on methemalbumin formation.
  • To define the chemical characteristics of true methemalbumin.
  • To address and correct the myth of methemalbumin in domestic animals.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature search on methemalbumin and albumin-heme interactions.
  • Analysis of chemical properties defining methemalbumin.
  • Comparative review of albumin function across different animal species.

Main Results:

  • Methemalbumin formation is not a universal characteristic of albumin.
  • Only albumin from a limited number of species exhibits the ability to form methemalbumin.
  • The literature contains instances of 'mythical' methemalbumin due to misidentification or misinterpretation.

Conclusions:

  • The widespread belief in methemalbumin in domestic animals is a myth.
  • Accurate identification of methemalbumin requires understanding species-specific albumin characteristics.
  • Further research may clarify the precise biochemical differences in albumin across species regarding heme binding.

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