Alpha chain explained

Alpha chain should not be confused with Alpha helix.

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.

See also

• Fibrinogen
• Peptide

Notes and References

1. Book: Lesieur, Claire . Oligomerization of Chemical and Biological Compounds . 2014-06-18 . BoD – Books on Demand . 978-953-51-1617-2 . 240–241 . en.
2. Book: Weaver, Robert Franklin . Molecular biology . 2012 . McGraw-Hill . 978-0-07-352532-7 . 5th . New York . 31 . 664665930.