Topic 14. Blood plasma proteins and enzymes.

Rabhi Ranim 411b

The theoretical questions:

1. Proteins of blood plasma, their fractions.

Blood plasma is the liquid component of blood that makes up approximately 55% of its volume. It
contains a variety of proteins, which can be separated into different fractions based on their
physical and chemical properties using techniques such as electrophoresis or chromatography.
The main protein fractions in blood plasma are:
. Albumin: This is the most abundant protein in blood plasma, accounting for approximately
60% of the total protein content. Albumin is synthesized in the liver and plays a role in
maintaining the osmotic pressure of the blood, transporting small molecules such as fatty
acids and bilirubin, and binding to drugs and hormones.
. Globulins: This group of proteins makes up approximately 35% of the total protein content
in plasma and can be further divided into three subfractions:
● Alpha globulins: These proteins are synthesized in the liver and play a role in transporting
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various substances such as lipids, hormones, and metal ions.
● Beta globulins: These proteins are synthesized in the liver and play a role in transporting
iron, copper, and lipids.
● Gamma globulins: These proteins are synthesized by immune cells such as plasma cells
and play a role in the immune response by binding to and neutralizing pathogens and other
foreign substances.
. Fibrinogen: This is a large protein that makes up approximately 4% of the total protein
content in plasma. It is synthesized in the liver and plays a crucial role in blood clotting by
converting to fibrin, which forms a meshwork that helps to stop bleeding.
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In addition to these major protein fractions, blood plasma also contains a variety of other
proteins, such as enzymes, lipoproteins, and complement proteins, which play important roles in
various physiological processes. The composition of plasma proteins can be altered in response
to various pathological conditions, and analysis of these changes can be used for diagnostic
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purposes.

2. Albumin of blood plasma, amount, place of synthesis, biological role.

Albumin is the most abundant protein in blood plasma, making up approximately 60% of the total
protein content. It is synthesized primarily in the liver, although it is also produced in smaller
amounts by other tissues such as the skin and intestine. Albumin is a globular protein with a
molecular weight of approximately 66 kDa, and it has a half-life of approximately 20 days.
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The biological role of albumin is multifaceted, and it plays a variety of important functions in the
body, including:
. Maintaining oncotic pressure: Albumin helps to maintain the osmotic pressure of the
blood, which is necessary to ensure that fluid is properly distributed between the
bloodstream and tissues.
. Transporting small molecules: Albumin is responsible for transporting a wide range of
small molecules in the blood, including hormones, fatty acids, bilirubin, and drugs. It does
this by binding to these molecules and carrying them through the bloodstream to their
target tissues.
. Modulating immune function: Albumin has been shown to modulate various aspects of the
immune response, such as cytokine production, lymphocyte activation, and antigen
presentation.
. Antioxidant activity: Albumin has antioxidant activity, and it plays a role in protecting cells
from oxidative damage.
. Acid-base balance: Albumin helps to maintain the acid-base balance of the blood by
binding and releasing hydrogen ions as needed.

3. Globulins of blood plasma, their amount. General characteristic of fractions: alpha- 1-

globulins, alpha- 2- globulins, beta –globulins, gamma- globulins.

Globulins are a group of proteins that are present in blood plasma. They account for
approximately 36% of the total protein content in blood plasma. Globulins can be further divided
into four major fractions: alpha-1 globulins, alpha-2 globulins, beta-globulins, and gamma-
globulins. Each of these fractions has unique properties and biological functions.
. Alpha-1 globulins: Alpha-1 globulins are the smallest of the globulin fractions and make up
approximately 5% of the total plasma protein. This fraction includes proteins such as
alpha-1 antitrypsin, alpha-fetoprotein, and haptoglobin. Alpha-1 antitrypsin is an important
protease inhibitor, while alpha-fetoprotein is a fetal protein that is produced during
embryonic development. Haptoglobin binds free hemoglobin in the blood and helps to
prevent hemoglobin from being excreted in the urine.
. Alpha-2 globulins: Alpha-2 globulins make up approximately 8% of the total plasma
protein. This fraction includes proteins such as alpha-2 macroglobulin, ceruloplasmin, and
haptoglobin. Alpha-2 macroglobulin is a protease inhibitor that can bind to a wide range of
proteases. Ceruloplasmin is an important copper-binding protein that plays a role in iron
metabolism and the protection against oxidative stress.
. Beta-globulins: Beta-globulins make up approximately 10% of the total plasma protein.
This fraction includes proteins such as transferrin, complement proteins, and lipoproteins.
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Transferrin is an iron-binding protein that is involved in the transport of iron in the blood.
Complement proteins are involved in the immune response and help to identify and
eliminate foreign pathogens. Lipoproteins are complexes of lipids and proteins that are
involved in the transport of cholesterol and other lipids in the blood.
. Gamma-globulins: Gamma-globulins make up approximately 23% of the total plasma
protein. This fraction includes immunoglobulins or antibodies, which are produced by
plasma cells in response to foreign antigens. Antibodies play a critical role in the immune
response by recognizing and neutralizing foreign pathogens.

4. Biological role of proteins of globulin fraction : transpherrin, ceruloplasmin, interpheron,

haptoglobin.

The globulin fraction of blood plasma contains a variety of proteins with important biological
roles. Here are some examples:
. Transferrin: Transferrin is a glycoprotein that binds and transports iron in the blood. Iron is
an essential element required for many biological processes, including the production of
hemoglobin in red blood cells. Transferrin helps to regulate iron homeostasis in the body
by binding excess iron and delivering it to cells that need it.
. Ceruloplasmin: Ceruloplasmin is a copper-binding protein that plays a role in iron
metabolism and the protection against oxidative stress. Ceruloplasmin can oxidize iron to
facilitate its transport in the blood and also has antioxidant properties that help to
neutralize free radicals and prevent cellular damage.
. Interferon: Interferons are a group of proteins that are produced by cells in response to
viral infections or other immune stimuli. Interferons help to stimulate the immune response
by activating immune cells and inhibiting viral replication.
. Haptoglobin: Haptoglobin is a protein that binds free hemoglobin in the blood and
prevents its excretion in the urine. Hemoglobin is released into the bloodstream when red
blood cells are destroyed, and haptoglobin helps to scavenge this free hemoglobin to
prevent its toxic effects on the body.

5. General characteristic of test proteins of “sharp phase”of inflammation reactions : C-

reactive protein, alpha- 2- proteinase inhibitor, cryoglobulin.

During acute inflammation, the levels of certain proteins in the blood can change rapidly in
response to the inflammatory stimulus. These proteins are known as "acute-phase proteins," and
they are produced by the liver in response to cytokines released by immune cells during the
acute phase of the inflammatory response. Here are some examples of acute-phase proteins:
. C-reactive protein (CRP): CRP is a protein that binds to phosphocholine on the surface of
dead or dying cells, bacteria, and other pathogens. It activates the complement system,
stimulates phagocytosis, and promotes the recruitment of immune cells to the site of
infection. CRP levels increase rapidly during the acute phase of inflammation and can be
used as a marker of inflammation.
. Alpha-2 proteinase inhibitor (A2PI): A2PI is a protein that inhibits proteases, including
neutrophil elastase and proteinase 3, which are released by immune cells during
inflammation. A2PI helps to protect tissues from damage caused by excessive protease
activity and can also modulate the immune response by inhibiting the production of
cytokines.
. Cryoglobulin: Cryoglobulins are immunoglobulins that precipitate at low temperatures and
can cause inflammation in the blood vessels. Cryoglobulins are produced by immune cells
in response to viral infections and other stimuli and can lead to symptoms such as rash,
joint pain, and kidney damage.