globular proteins

Proteins that consist of long chains of amino acids folded up into complex shapes. Globular proteins serve as, or form important components of, the following:

Enzymes
Hormones
Antibodies
Some structural proteins. (Globular proteins form part of the cell membrane, which has a structural role as well as a role in transporting ions in and out the cell)

The structure of globular proteins has been traditionally discussed in terms of four levels of structure: primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary. Two additional levels are now commonly distinguished: motifs and domains.

Compare with fibrous protein.

Related category

• BIOCHEMISTRY

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