Plasma and cellular proteins

The term Plasma and cellular proteins refers to the vast and diverse collection of protein molecules found within the blood plasma and the various cells of the human body. Plasma proteins, which include albumin, globulins, and fibrinogen, are essential for maintaining oncotic pressure, transporting hormones and lipids, and facilitating the coagulation cascade (StatPearls, 2023). Cellular proteins encompass a wide array of functional and structural molecules, such as enzymes, receptors, and cytoskeletal components, that drive every biological process from metabolism to signal transduction (UniProt, 2024). In pharmacology, this term is often used to describe the general environment where drugs distribute or to indicate non-specific protein binding, which significantly influences a drug's free fraction and therapeutic efficacy. Because it encompasses nearly the entire human proteome, it is not considered a specific therapeutic target but rather a broad biological category.

Other names

Blood proteinsIntracellular proteinsExtracellular proteinsProteome

Not applicable as this is a broad category of biological molecules rather than a specific therapeutic target.