Alpha chain
Subunit of a protein
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The term alpha chain is normally used to indicate one of the subunits of a multi-subunit protein.[1] The term "chain" is a general term given to any peptide sequence.[2] It can often refer more specifically to mean:
- a part of the T-cell receptor,
- the fibrinogen alpha chain,
- the integrin alpha chain,
- Hemoglobin, alpha 1
It should be distinguished from the term alpha helix, which refers to one of the common secondary structures found in proteins, along with beta sheet.
