Plasma proteins and membrane proteins

The term Plasma proteins and membrane proteins refers to two vast and distinct categories of proteins rather than a single therapeutic target. Plasma proteins, primarily synthesized in the liver, include albumin, globulins, and fibrinogen, which are essential for maintaining oncotic pressure, blood coagulation, and the transport of lipids, hormones, and drugs (StatPearls, 2023). Membrane proteins are diverse molecules embedded in or associated with the lipid bilayer of cells, serving as receptors, ion channels, and transporters that mediate cellular signaling and transport (Nature Education, 2014). While many individual proteins within these groups are critical drug targets or influence drug pharmacokinetics, the collective term is too broad for specific therapeutic classification. In drug development, understanding the interaction between a lead compound and plasma proteins is vital for predicting its distribution and free fraction in the blood (PubMed, 2021). Consequently, this entry is considered incorrect as a specific target because it encompasses thousands of proteins with unrelated functions and structures.

Other names

Blood proteinsSerum proteinsCell surface proteinsIntegral membrane proteinsPeripheral membrane proteinsTransmembrane proteins

As a broad category rather than a single target, drugs interact with specific members of these groups through diverse mechanisms, including reversible binding to transport proteins like albumin or the modulation of specific membrane-bound receptors and ion channels.