Alpha chain

Not to 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