The ALB gene provides instructions for creating albumin, the most abundant protein found in human blood. This protein plays a critical role in regulating blood plasma colloid osmotic pressure. Interestingly, it has additional functions including:

Transport: Albumin acts as a carrier protein for a variety of molecules, both those naturally produced by the body such as hormones (e.g. thyroxine) and fatty acids as well as those introduced from external sources such as ions (Zn/Ca/Mg), metabolites, and drugs.

• Albumin is conserved across vertebrates but exhibits significant variability across species, with differences between albumin domains reaching 70-80%. This remarkable evolutionary diversity is likely attributed to the development of specific binding properties tailored to accommodate new ligands—hormones, me ...