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Updated: Mar 16, 2026
Luminophore Formation in Various Conformations of Bovine Serum Albumin by Binding of GoldIII
Published on: August 31, 2018
Heme-based catalytic properties of human serum albumin
P Ascenzi1, A di Masi2, G Fanali3
1Interdepartmental Laboratory for Electron Microscopy, Roma Tre University , 00146 Roma, Italy.
Abstract:
Human serum albumin (HSA): (i) controls the plasma oncotic pressure, (ii) modulates fluid distribution between the body compartments, (iii) represents the depot and carrier of endogenous and exogenous compounds, (iv) increases the apparent solubility and lifetime of hydrophobic compounds, (v) affects pharmacokinetics of many drugs, (vi) inactivates toxic compounds, (vii) induces chemical modifications of some ligands, (viii) displays antioxidant properties, and (ix) shows enzymatic properties. Under physiological and pathological conditions, HSA has a pivotal role in heme scavenging transferring the metal-macrocycle from high- and low-density lipoproteins to hemopexin, thus acquiring globin-like reactivity. Here, the heme-based catalytic properties of HSA are reviewed and the structural bases of drug-dependent allosteric regulation are highlighted.
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