Introduction
Proteins are important components of all organisms. A protein molecule is made up of one or more amino acids linked together by polypeptide chains. The lowest members are derived from only two amino acids forming simple proteins (e.g. albumin, globulin, prolamin).Complex proteins incorporates other groups as part of the molecule other than amino acids, examples are carbohydrates in mucoproteins, chlorophyll molecules in the protein chloroplasts, phosphorus containing proteins such as casein, nucleoproteins in which proteins are combined with nucleic acids and the lipoproteins of the cytoplasm, in which proteins are combined with lipids. All these complex compounds have two or more molecules of amino acids united by a peptide linkage which results from the elimination of water, an –OH coming from one amino acid and an –H from the other. Each protein has its unique sequence of amino acids.
Applications of Proteins in Pharmacy
Therapeutics
A variety of human diseases are partially related to dysfunction of specific proteins. Therapeutic proteins provide important therapies for diseases such as diabetes, cancer, infectious diseases, haemophilia and anemia. Common therapeutic proteins include; Antibodies, FC fusion proteins, hormones, interleukins, enzymes and anticoagulants.
Basically, therapeutic proteins can be classified into four groups:
- Group 1: Therapeutic proteins with enzymatic or regulatory activity. These proteins replace a protein that is deficient or abnormal, upregulate an existing pathway or provide a new function or activity.
- Group II: Therapeutic proteins with special targeting activity. These proteins interfere with a molecule or organism or deliver other molecules.
- Group III: Therapeutic proteins as vaccines. These proteins help to protect against foreign agents, autoimmune diseases and cancer.
- Group IV: Therapeutic proteins as diagnostics. These proteins are generally purified and recombinant proteins.
Applications of recombinant proteins in research
Recombinant proteins help to elucidate the basic and fundamental principles of an organism. Recombinant proteins are useful tools in understanding protein-protein interactions. They have proven performance in several Laboratory techniques such as ELISA, Western Blot and immunohistochemistry.
Applications in Biotechnology
Recombinant proteins are also used in industry, food production, agriculture and bioengineering. For example, in breeding industry, enzymes can be added to animal feed to increase the nutritional value of feed ingredients, reduce feed and waste management costs, support animal gut health, enhance animal performance and improve the environment.