Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2025

Spectrophotometric Determination of Phycobiliprotein Content in Cyanobacterium Synechocystis
Published on: September 11, 2018
A comprehensive review on hemocyanin from marine products: Structure, functions, its implications for the food
Ruiyang Ji1, Leying Guan1, Ziyan Hu1
1College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China.
Abstract:
Hemocyanin, an oxygen-transport protein, is widely distributed in the hemolymph of marine arthropods and mollusks, playing an important role in their physiological processes. Recently, hemocyanin has been recognized as a multifunctional glycoprotein involved in the immunological responses of aquatic invertebrates. Consequently, the link between hemocyanin functions and their potential applications has garnered increased attention. This review offers an integrated overview of hemocyanin's structure, physicochemical characteristics, and bioactivities to further promote the utilization of hemocyanin derived from marine products. Specifically, we review its implication in two aspects of food and aquaculture industries: quality and health. Hemocyanin's inducible phenoloxidase activity is thought to be an inducer of melanosis in crustaceans. New anti-melanosis agents targeted to hemocyanin need to be explored. The red-color change observed in shrimp shells is related to hemocyanin, affecting consumer preferences. Hemocyanin's adaptive modification in response to the aquatic environment is available as a biomarker. Additionally, hemocyanin is endowed with bioactivities encompassing anti-microbial, antiviral, and therapeutic activities. Hemocyanin is also a novel allergen and its allergenic features remain incompletely characterized.
Related Concept Videos
Hemoglobin
When all four heme groups are bound to oxygen, the resulting molecule is called oxyhemoglobin. As a result, arterial blood...
Gene Families
Occasionally these regions can be adapted to take on new roles within the organism, becoming novel genes...
Globular and Fibrous Proteins
Globular proteins are also known as spheroproteins and typically are approximately round in shape. They contain a mix of amino acid types and contain differing sequences in their primary structures. Globular proteins have many different functions, such as enzymes, cellular messengers, and molecular transporters. These roles often require the proteins to be...
Protein and Protein Structure
A protein's shape is critical to its function. For example, an enzyme...
Structure and Function of Erythrocytes
The erythrocyte plasma membrane is associated with proteins such as spectrin, which forms a flexible cytoplasmic meshwork. This meshwork allows erythrocytes to twist, turn, become cup-shaped, and regain their biconcave shape as they pass through narrow capillaries. Additionally, erythrocytes can form...

