A number of serum transport proteins are known to be evolutionarily related, including albumin, α-fetoprotein, vitamin D-binding protein and afamin [1]. Albumin is the main protein of plasma. It binds water, cations (such as Ca2+, Na+ and K+), fatty acids, hormones, bilirubin and drugs. Its main function is to regulate the colloidal osmotic pressure of blood.
Allergic sensitization to serum albumin can occur by inhalation as well as ingestion [2]. Serum albumins are found in dander and saliva and are important inhalant allergens of cat (Fel d 2), dog (Can d 3), horse (Equ d 3), and cattle (Bod d 6). Bovine serum albumin (Bos d 6) is capable of sensitizing by inhalation or by ingestion of beef or cow's milk [3]. Chicken serum albumin, also named α-livetin or Gal d 5, is a major egg allergen and is also responsible for the bird-egg syndrome, the cross-reactivity between ingested egg allergens and inhaled feather and dander allergens [4].
Family-defining Pfam domains (at least one of these domains is present in each family member):
| Pfam domain | Pfam clan | ||
| PF00273 | Serum albumin family | CL0282 | Serum albumin superfamily |
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