Globular Proteins - Role

Role

Unlike fibrous proteins which only play a structural function, globular proteins can act as:

  • Enzymes, by catalyzing organic reactions taking place in the organism in mild conditions and with a great specificity. Different esterases fulfill this role.
  • Messengers, by transmitting messages to regulate biological processes. This function is done by hormones, i.e. insulin etc.
  • Transporters of other molecules through membranes
  • Stocks of amino acids.
  • Regulatory roles are also performed by globular proteins rather than fibrous proteins.
  • Structural proteins, e.g., actin and tubulin, which are globular and soluble as monomers, but polymerize to form long, stiff fibers

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