Serum proteins in blood play a diverse range of functional roles that are crucial for maintaining homeostasis, immune responses, and overall physiological balance within the body. Such proteins include albumin, globulins, fibrinogen, and various other enzymes and molecules with specialized functions. Albumin is the most abundant serum protein, constituting around 60% of total serum proteins. It primarily functions as a blood transport protein, carrying a variety of molecules throughout the bloodstream. These include hormones such as thyroxine (T4) and some steroid hormones, fatty acids, vitamins, drugs, and some waste products such as bilirubin, derived from the breakdown of haemoglobin. Albumin also helps maintain osmotic pressure, preventing the loss of fluid from blood vessels into tissues, and contributes to the regulation of pH. Globulins are a diverse group of serum proteins with various functions. Alpha-globulins include proteins like alpha-1 antitrypsin, which inhibits proteases to protect tissues from damage, and alpha-fetoprotein, which is important in foetal development. Beta-globulins include transferrin, responsible for transporting iron, and complement proteins, which are part of the immune response and help in immune cell activation and cell lysis. Gamma-globulins (immunoglobulins) are antibodies produced by plasma B cells. Immunoglobulins bind to antigens to neutralize pathogens and trigger immune responses. Fibrinogen is a clotting factor that plays an important role in blood coagulation. During injury, fibrinogen is converted to fibrin through the action of thrombin, leading to the formation of a stable blood clot that prevents excessive bleeding. Serum also contains various enzymes with essential biological roles. These include: 1) Lipases and Amylases, enzymes that break down lipids and carbohydrates, respectively, aiding in digestion; 2) Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), enzymes that are associated with liver function and are released into the blood during liver damage or disease; 3) Alkaline Phosphatase (AP), an enzyme found in various tissues, including bone, liver, and intestine. Elevated AP levels can indicate liver or bone disorders; 4) Creatine Kinase (CK), an enzyme important in muscle energy metabolism. Elevated serum levels can indicate muscle damage, such as in heart attacks or muscular dystrophy. In addition to albumin and transferrin, other serum transport proteins include haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that binds to oxygen and transports carbon dioxide, facilitating their transport between the lungs and tissues, and haptoglobin which binds to free haemoglobin, preventing its oxidative damage and clearance by the kidneys. Finally, some hormones circulate in the bloodstream bound to proteins. For example, Thyroxine-Binding Globulin (TBG) binds thyroid hormones, regulating their transport and availability, whilst Cortisol-Binding Globulin (CBG) binds cortisol, regulating its transport and function. We offer a comprehensive product range of research tools for studying serum proteins, including Transferrin Receptor antibodies, Albumin antibodies, RBP4 antibodies, Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 1 ELISA Kits, and alpha 1 Fetoprotein ELISA Kits. Explore our full serum proteins product range below and discover more, for less.