Self-Assembly of Human Serum Albumin: A Simplex Phenomenon

Biomolecules. 2017 Sep 20;7(3):69. doi: 10.3390/biom7030069.

Abstract

Spontaneous self-assemblies of biomolecules can generate geometrical patterns. Our findings provide an insight into the mechanism of self-assembled ring pattern generation by human serum albumin (HSA). The self-assembly is a process guided by kinetic and thermodynamic parameters. The generated protein ring patterns display a behavior which is geometrically related to a n-simplex model and is explained through thermodynamics and chemical kinetics.

Keywords: Pascal’s triangle; geometric pattern; kinetics; n-simplex; protein self-assembly; thermodynamics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Humans
  • Kinetics
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force
  • Serum Albumin, Human / chemistry*
  • Serum Albumin, Human / ultrastructure
  • Thermodynamics

Substances

  • Serum Albumin, Human