title: Atomic structure and chemistry of human serum albumin.
abstract: The three-dimensional structure of human serum albumin has been determined crystallographically to a resolution of 2.8 A. It comprises three homologous domains that assemble to form a heart-shaped molecule. Each domain is a product of two subdomains that possess common structural motifs. The principal regions of ligand binding to human serum albumin are located in hydrophobic cavities in subdomains IIA and IIIA, which exhibit similar chemistry. The structure explains numerous physical phenomena and should provide insight into future pharmacokinetic and genetically engineered therapeutic applications of serum albumin.
authors.affiliation: Space Science Laboratory, Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama 35812.
authors.forename: X M
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Carter
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D003196:Computer Graphics; D004220:Disulfides; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D011487:Protein Conformation; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000737:chemistry*; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D004220:Disulfides; D008024:Ligands; D012709:Serum Albumin