响应面法优化细脚棒束孢中N6-(2-羟乙基)腺苷的超声提取工艺研究

为提高细脚棒束孢中N ⁶-(2-羟乙基)腺苷（简称HEA）的提取效率,在超声时间、提取液pH、料液比3个单因素试验的基础上,运用响应面法对超声提取细脚棒束孢中HEA工艺进行优化。结果表明,液料比对提取效果的影响最大,其次是提取液pH,超声时间因素影响最小。响应面法优化后,细脚棒束孢的最佳超声提取工艺为：超声时间31min、液料比22:1（mL/g）、pH 4.88,Box-Behnken模型预测值为0.86mg/g,实际值为(0.86+0.03)mg/g,二者偏差为0.10%,说明响应面优化超声提取细脚棒束孢中HEA工艺稳定可行。该研究所得提取工艺适用于不同虫草类真菌腺苷类成分的提取及分析,具有省时高效、节约能源的优势,可用于虫草的质量评价及开发等研究。     

蝉花虫草活性成分的抗惊厥作用

本研究采用活性追踪的方法,逐步从人工培养蝉花虫草分离获得A（50%乙醇回流提取）、B（膜分离）、C（大孔树脂洗脱）和D（Sephadex LH20柱纯化）等4种样品,单一化合物D纯度为98.62%,鉴定为N6‐(2‐羟乙基)腺苷[N6‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐adenosine,HEA]。研究各样品对戊四唑（pentylenetetrazol,PTZ）诱导的小鼠惊厥模型的影响,以及选择性腺苷A1受体（AA1R）拮抗剂DPCPX或选择性腺苷A2A受体（AA2AR）拮抗剂ZM241385对HEA作用的影响,并采用苏木精-伊红（hematoxylin-eosin,HE）染色、免疫组化（immunohistochemical,IHC）染色和蛋白质免疫印迹（Western blot,WB）等技术进一步探究HEA抗惊厥作用的机制。结果表明,各样品（i.p.）均有抗惊厥活性,HEA（40–60mg/kg,i.p.）能显著延长惊厥小鼠的存活时间和降低死亡率,DPCPX（2mg/kg,i.p.）能够拮抗HEA的抗惊厥作用,而ZM241385无此作用;HE、IHC和WB的结果进一步揭示DPCPX显著降低HEA的作用。综上所述,蝉花虫草的HEA具有抗惊厥作用,并且可能通过激活腺苷A1受体而起作用。     

高速逆流色谱分离制备蛹虫草中虫草素和N6-(2-羟乙基)-腺苷

采用高速逆流色谱（HSCCC）技术从蛹虫草子实体粗提物中分离制备高纯度虫草素和N⁶-(2-羟乙基)-腺苷。利用高效液相色谱（HPLC）测定目标产物在溶剂体系中的分配系数,优化HSCCC分离虫草素和N⁶-(2-羟乙基)-腺苷的溶剂体系,确定了以乙酸乙酯-正丁醇-1.5%氨水（1:4:5,V/V/V）为HSCCC的两相溶剂体系,并运用此溶剂体系,上相为固定相,下相为流动相,主机转速850r/min,流动相流速为1.5mL/min,检测波长为254nm条件下进行分离制备,在250min内从200mg蛹虫草子实体粗提物中一步分离得到10.8mg纯度99%的虫草素和6.1mg 纯度98%的N⁶-(2-羟乙基)-腺苷。该方法简便、快速,为虫草素和N⁶-(2-羟乙基)-腺苷的大量制备建立了基础。     

粉被虫草静置发酵产N6-(2-羟乙基)腺苷培养基组分及前体物的筛选

在静置培养条件下,对粉被虫草cp菌株产N6-(2-羟乙基)腺苷（简称HEA）的培养基及其组分进行优化。采用单因素实验方法,以HPLC法对cp菌丝体中HEA进行检测,以HEA的产量为指标,结果表明查氏培养基有利于cp菌株产HEA,其产量是沙氏和PD培养基的3.7倍和4.48倍。以查氏培养基为基础培养基,进行碳、氮源的筛选中,最有利于cp菌株产HEA的是蔗糖和硝酸钠;在无机盐的筛选中,K2HPO4是促进cp菌株累积HEA最主要的无机盐,其HEA产量较CK增长了5 822.37%（提高了58.2倍）;在查氏培养基上添加不同前体物和氨基酸,发现其结构类似物腺苷、次黄嘌呤和腺嘌呤都有促进cp菌株累积HEA的能力,其中腺苷和次黄嘌呤能提高其产量60%以上;而组氨酸是最有利于cp菌株累积HEA的氨基酸,产量达到（45.56±2.8）mg/L,较CK提高HEA产量251.68%,其次是L-谷氨酸增产184.19%。     

蝉花虫草提取物N~6-(2-羟乙基)腺苷对小鼠肾脏缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

研究蝉花虫草提取物N~6-(2-羟乙基)腺苷[N~6-(2-hydroxyethyl)-adenosine,HEA]对小鼠肾脏缺血再灌注损伤(ischemia reperfusion,IR)的影响。选择20–25g雄性C57BL/6小鼠,随机分成5组。假手术组小鼠仅接受腹中线开腹、游离双侧肾蒂及缝合腹部操作;IR组小鼠制成肾脏IR模型,不给药;HEA低剂量组、HEA中剂量组、HEA高剂量组分别在建立肾脏缺血再灌注模型前15min腹腔注射HEA(2.5mg/kg、5mg/kg和7.5mg/kg)。再灌注24h后检测各组肾功能指标血清肌酐(serum creatinine,Scr)和尿素氮(blood urea nitrogen,BUN)水平。苏木精-伊红染色后用光学显微镜观察肾脏组织形态学改变。电镜和TUNEL分析法观察肾小管上皮细胞凋亡状况。实时荧光定量RT-PCR检测细胞间粘附分子-1(intercellular adhesion molecule-1,ICAM-1)、白细胞介素(interleukin-1β,IL-1β)和肿瘤坏死因子α(tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α)等基因的m RNA的表达情况。结果显示,与假手术组比较,IR组BUN和Scr水平明显升高(P0.01,P0.05);肾脏病理表现为上皮细胞碎片和管型,且最为严重;与IR组比较,HEA 7.5mg/kg组血清BUN和Scr水平显著降低(P0.05);HEA 5mg/kg组和HEA 7.5mg/kg组肾损伤情况明显改善(P0.05,P0.01);电镜观察可知HEA 7.5mg/kg组明显改善肾小管上皮细胞的损伤程度,并且保护线粒体和细胞核膜的完整性。原位末端标记法[terminal dexynucleotidyl transferase(Td T)-mediated d UTP nick end labeling,TUNEL]显示HEA治疗组凋亡细胞数量明显低于IR组(P0.01)。HEA治疗组ICAM-1、IL-1β和TNF-αm RNA的水平均低于IR组(P0.01)。所以预处理HEA 7.5mg/kg对肾脏缺血再灌注有保护作用。     

N6-甲基腺苷修饰对女性生殖系统功能的影响

近年来女性不孕不育率不断攀升，已成为我国提高生育率亟需解决的困境。生殖系统的健康是保证生育能力的前提条件。N ⁶-甲基腺苷(N⁶-methyladenosine,m⁶A)是真核生物中最常见的化学修饰，在细胞生命活动中发挥着极其重要的作用。近来，m⁶A修饰被证实在女性生殖系统的各种生理和病理过程中起着关键作用，但其调控机制及生物学功能仍不清楚。本文首先介绍了m⁶A修饰的可逆调节机制及其功能，随后讨论了其在女性生殖功能和生殖系统疾病中的作用，最后对m⁶A修饰的检测技术和方法及其最新进展进行了归纳总结，以期为后续女性生殖系统发病机制和治疗研究提供参考。     

脂肪干细胞移植对野百合碱诱发的肺动脉高压大鼠肺动脉压的量效和时效作用

目的探索脂肪干细胞（ADSC）移植治疗野百合碱（MCT）诱导的肺动脉高压（PAH）大鼠的适宜细胞数和干预时间。 方法（1）MCT的建模时效和量效：雄性SD大鼠48只分为正常对照组,20 mg/kg、30 mg/kg、40 mg/kg MCT组分别予腹腔注射生理盐水、MCT 20 mg/kg、30 mg/kg、40 mg/kg,4和8周后,右心室插管法检测平均肺动脉压（mPAP）,称重法计算右心室肥厚指数（RVHI）。（2）ADSC的治疗量效作用：雄性SD大鼠分别予腹腔注射MCT（30只）和生理盐水（30只）,1周后通过颈静脉注射分别移植0.5×10⁶、1.0×10⁶、3.0×10⁶、5.0×10⁶ADSC,其他组予等量生理盐水。移植3周后检测mPAP和RVHI。（3）ADSC的治疗时效作用：雄性SD大鼠30只,分别注射40 mg/kg MCT（24只）和生理盐水（6只）。MCT腹腔注射1 d,1、2周后分别移植1.0×10⁶个ADSC。MCT注射4周后检测mPAP和RVHI。多组间比较采用单因素或双因素方差分析,两两比较采用LSD检验。 结果（1）腹腔注射4周后,30 mg/ kg或40 mg/kg MCT组mPAP和RVHI均升高[mPAP值（24.89±3.31）mmHg,（27.19±2.11）mmHg比（15.80±0.42）mmHg,差异有统计学意义（P均< 0.05）;RVHI值0.42±0.06,0.47±0.04比0.25±0.02,差异有统计学意义（P均< 0.05）]。8周后,20 mg/kg或30 mg/ kg MCT组mPAP和RVHI均恢复正常,而40 mg/kg MCT组大鼠全部死亡。（2）40 mg/ kg MCT诱导的PAH大鼠mPAP和RVHI均升高。移植1.0×10⁶个ADSC可降低PAH大鼠的mPAP[（17.24±0.66）mmHg比（27.19±1.73）mmHg,P < 0.05]。移植0.5×10⁶、3.0×10⁶、5.0× 10⁶个ADSC不能降低PAH大鼠的mPAP和RVHI。（3）MCT腹腔注射1周和2周后,移植1.0×10⁶个ADSC可降低PAH大鼠的mPAP。 结论40 mg/kg MCT造模4周可建立稳定的PAH大鼠模型;造模1或2周后移植1.0×10⁶个ADSC能有效降低PAH大鼠的mPAP。     

外源性铜对SD鼠脑内铜稳态与γ-氨基丁酸、谷氨酸含量影响的实验研究

目的：探讨脑内铜稳态与γ-氨基丁酸、谷氨酸含量之间的关联性,了解脑内铜代谢参与神经疾病的作用机制.方法：把实验动物分为8组：对照组,戊巴比妥组,腹腔注射CuCl2组（剂量分别为2 mg/kg、10 mg/kg、50 mg/kg）,CuCl2-戊巴比妥混合组（先腹腔注射CuCl2,再注射戊巴比妥）.检测SD鼠血清和海马内不同形态铜、γ-氨基丁酸和谷氨酸含量.结果：单一铜胁迫下发现随着外源铜升高血清和海马总铜及血清非蛋白结合铜和海马内谷氨酸含量显著升高,在50 mg/kg注射剂量下达到最高（P＜0.02）;海马非蛋白结合铜和神经递质γ-氨基丁酸含量在2 mg/kg注射剂量下达到最高（P＜0.02）,并随着外源铜浓度升高而降低.单一注射戊巴比妥后海马游离铜含量明显降低（P＜0.02）.铜胁迫1小时后注射1％戊巴比妥结果表明,戊巴比妥能明显降低铜胁迫下海马及血清总铜和游离铜含量（P＜0.05）.结论：外源铜能改变体内铜稳态;铜稳态失衡导致神经递质γ-氨基丁酸、谷氨酸含量变化,γ-氨基丁酸含量与非蛋白结合铜呈正相关.     

蝉花虫草镇痛化合物对痛风大鼠转录组及Adora1等疼痛相关基因的影响

本研究采用活性追踪的方法从蝉花虫草Ophiocordyceps sobolifera中分离提取了镇痛活性物质N~6-(2-羟乙基)腺苷[N~6-(2-hydroxyethyl)-adenosine,HEA],并通过转录组测序技术探索了HEA对痛风模型大鼠疼痛相关基因的影响。结果表明932个基因存在差异表达,将差异基因与在线疼痛基因大数据及相关文献进行比对,发现了57个疼痛相关基因,其中12个基因与镇痛相关,包括上调表达的腺苷A1受体基因(Adora1)及A2A受体基因(Adora2a)。应用Western blot的方法验证了HEA(7.5mg/kg)诱导镇痛靶标受体腺苷A1受体(A1R)表达上调、腺苷A2A受体(A2AR)表达下调。选择性A1R拮抗剂DPCPX显著抑制HEA对A1R的上调表达作用。综上所述,蝉花虫草的镇痛活性物质为HEA,而HEA可能通过激活腺苷A1R、下调A2AR及调控一系列疼痛相关基因发挥其镇痛作用。     

不同培养条件对粉被虫草产N6-(2-羟乙基)腺苷的影响

N6-(2-羟乙基)腺苷[N6-(2-hydroxyethyl)-Adenosine,HEA],又名茧草菌素,是一种钙离子拮抗剂,具有抗紫外辐射、抗血小板凝结和镇痛等效用,是集医药保健、化妆品等多项开发潜力于一身的生物资源,也是衡量虫草制品质量的一个重要生物活性物质指标。该研究采用高效液相色谱法对菌丝体中HEA进行检测,以HEA的产量为指标,考察不同培养方法、培养基及其组分、前体物和氨基酸对粉被虫草(Cordyceps pruinosaPetch)cp菌株产HEA的影响。结果表明:在沙氏培养基上,静置培养120 d,cp菌株HEA的产量明显优于摇床培养20 d和发酵罐培养3 d的产量,说明随培养时间的延长,cp菌株中HEA的累积会逐步增加。在静置培养条件下,cp菌株在查氏培养基上HEA的产量明显优于沙氏培养基和PD培养基,HEA的产量是沙氏培养基的3.7倍,是PD培养基的4.48倍。以查氏培养基为基础培养基,静置培养120 d进行碳、氮源的筛选中,最有利于cp菌株产HEA的是蔗糖和硝酸钠;在无机盐的筛选中,K2HPO4是促进cp菌株累积HEA最主要的无机盐,其HEA产量较对照(不添加无机盐的查氏培养基)提高了58.2倍;在查氏培养基上添加不同前体物和氨基酸,发现其结构类似物腺苷、次黄嘌呤和腺嘌呤都有促进cp菌株累积HEA的能力,其中腺苷和次黄嘌呤的效果最好,能提高HEA产量60%以上;添加的14种氨基酸中有组氨酸、L-谷氨酸、甘氨酸、天门冬酰胺、丝氨酸、亮氨酸、L-丙氨酸、赖氨酸和精氨酸等9种氨基酸能促进cp菌株产HEA的能力,其中组氨酸是最有利于cp菌株累积HEA的氨基酸,其HEA产量较ck(查氏培养基)提高251.68%,HEA产量达到(45.56±2.8)mg/L,菌丝体中HEA含量达到(4 633.10±65.65)μg/g。     

Investigation of interaction between human serum albumin and N6-(2-hydroxyethyl)-adenosine by fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular modelling.

The interaction between human serum albumin (HSA) and N(6)-(2-hydroxyethyl)-adenosine (HEA) was investigated using fluorescence spectroscopy in combination with UV absorption spectroscopy for the first time. The results of spectroscopic measurements suggested that the hydrophobic interaction was the predominant intermolecular force stabilizing the complex, which was in good agreement with the results of molecular modelling study. The enthalpy change (DeltaH) and the entropy change (DeltaS) were calculated, according to the Van't Hoff equation, to be -24.05 kJ/mol and 30.23 J/mol/K, respectively. The effects of common ions on the binding constant of the HEA-HSA complex at room temperature were also investigated.     

Study of the mechanism of interaction of antibody (IgG) on two mixed mode sorbents

Purification of target proteins from a crude biological mixture containing proteins, peptides and other biomolecules is the chromatographic challenge. Mixed mode chromatography offers additional selectivities to improve the overall productivity of commercial bioprocesses with novel chromatographic sorbents being introduced to overcome the problem. HEA HyperCel? (n-hexyl amine) and PPA HyperCel? (phenyl propyl amine) are industry scalable mixed mode chromatography sorbents where both hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions are predominant. Our study focuses on understanding the underlying mechanism of interaction of protein with the sorbent. Parameters like buffer conditions, pH and temperature were tuned to study the adsorption and desorption conditions of the protein. Dynamic binding capacity of HEA HyperCel? and PPA HyperCel? sorbents was studied with human IgG as a model protein. Our study shows that, in HEA the interaction of IgG to the sorbent is predominantly hydrophobic as the binding is enhanced (50–60 mg/ml of sorbent) by presence of salt in buffer and increase in temperature. Binding capacity of PPA is 50–60 mg/ml of sorbent irrespective of temperature effect and/or the presence of salt. The chromatographic experiments show that the interaction could be hydrophobic or ionic or some charge transfer mechanism depending upon the buffer conditions.     

香菇中麦角钙化甾醇含量的测定及其在人体内的传输机制

在阳光照射和自然阴干两种干燥方式下,测定了香菇中麦角钙化甾醇的含量。在不同实验条件下,测定了麦角甾醇转化为麦角钙化甾醇的转化率。在模拟生理条件下,通过荧光光谱、同步荧光光谱、三维荧光光谱、位点竞争实验、紫外可见吸收光谱和分子对接方法对麦角钙化甾醇与人血清白蛋白相互作用过程中的机制和构象变化进行了系统研究,从而揭示了麦角钙化甾醇在体内的传输机制。结果表明,阳光照射能够提高香菇中麦角钙化甾醇含量。麦角甾醇在溶液状态下经过紫外光照射4h,麦角甾醇转化为麦角钙化甾醇的转化率为21%。荧光光谱表明麦角钙化甾醇通过静态猝灭机制猝灭人血清白蛋白的内源荧光。在288K时有利于麦角钙化甾醇与人血清白蛋白的结合,在较高温度下麦角钙化甾醇不能与人血清白蛋白结合。热力学参数分析和分子对接结果表明,疏水作用、氢键和范德华力是结合过程中的主要作用力。位点竞争实验和同步荧光光谱表明位点I是麦角钙化甾醇和人血清白蛋白相互作用的主要结合位点。结合过程中能够发生能量转移,结合距离是3.46nm。结合过程轻微地改变人血清白蛋白的结构和微环境。     

Locating the carboxylate group of GABA in the homomeric rho GABA(A) receptor ligand-binding pocket

gamma-Aminobutyric acid, type A (GABA(A)) receptors, of which the GABA(C) receptor family is a subgroup, are members of the Cys loop family of neurotransmitter receptors. Homology modeling of the extracellular domain of these proteins has revealed many molecular details, but it is not yet clear how GABA is orientated in the binding pocket. Here we have examined the role of arginine residues that the homology model locates in or close to the binding site of the GABA(C) receptor (Arg-104, Arg-170, Arg-158, and Arg-249) using mutagenesis and functional studies. The data suggest that Arg-158 is critical for GABA binding and/or function; substitution with Lys, Ala, or Glu resulted in nonfunctional receptors, and modeling placed the carboxylate of GABA within 3A of this residue. Substitution of Arg-104 with Ala or Glu resulted in >10,000-fold increases in EC(50) values compared with wild type receptors, and modeling indicated a role of this residue both in binding GABA and in the structure of the binding pocket. Substitution of Arg-170 with Asp or Ala yielded nonfunctional receptors, whereas Lys caused an approximately 10-fold increase in EC(50). Arg-249 was substituted with Ala, Glu, or Asp with relatively small ( approximately 4-30-fold) changes in EC(50). These and data from other residues that the model suggested could interact with GABA (His-105, Ser-168, and Ser-243) support a location for GABA in the binding site with its carboxylate pincered between Arg-158 and Arg-104, with Arg-104, Arg-170, and Arg-249 contributing to the structure of the binding pocket through salt bridges and/or hydrogen bonds.     

Peptide mapping identifies hotspot site of modification in human serum albumin by methylglyoxal involved in ligand binding and esterase activity

Methylglyoxal is a potent glycating agent under physiological conditions. Human serum albumin is modified by methylglyoxal in vivo. The glycation adducts formed and structural and functional changes induced by methylglyoxal modification have not been fully disclosed. Methylglyoxal reacted with human serum albumin under physiological conditions to form mainly the hydroimidazolone N(delta)-(5-hydro-5-methyl-4-imidazolon-2-yl)-ornithine (92% of total modification) with a minor formation of argpyrimidine, N(epsilon)-(1-carboxyethyl)lysine, and methylglyoxal lysine dimer. When human serum albumin was modified minimally with methylglyoxal, tryptic peptide mapping indicated a hotspot of modification at Arg-410 located in drug-binding site II and the active site of albumin-associated esterase activity. Modification of Arg-410 by methylglyoxal was found in albumin glycated in vivo. Other sites of minor modification were: Arg-114, Arg-186, Arg-218, and Arg-428. Hydroimidazolone formation at Arg-410 inhibited ketoprofen binding and esterase activity; correspondingly, glycation in the presence of ketoprofen inhibited Arg-410 modification and loss of esterase activity. The pH dependence of esterase activity indicated a catalytic group with pK(a) = 7.9 +/- 0.1, assigned to the catalytic base Tyr-411 with the conjugate base stabilized by interaction with the guanidinium group of Arg-410. Modification by methylglyoxal destabilized Tyr-411 and increased the pK(a) to 8.8 +/- 0.1. Molecular dynamics and modeling studies indicated that hydroimidazolone formation caused structural distortion leading to disruption of arginine-directed hydrogen bonding and loss of electrostatic interactions. Methylglyoxal modification of critical arginine residues, therefore, whether experimental or physiological, is expected to disrupt protein-ligand interactions and inactivate enzyme activity by hydroimidazolone formation.     

Photosensitized protein damage by dimethoxyphosphorus(V) tetraphenylporphyrin

For the purpose of the basic study of photodynamic therapy, the activity of the water-soluble P(V)porphyrin, dimethoxyP(V)tetraphenylporphyrin chloride (DMP(V)TPP), on photosensitized protein damage was examined. The quantum yield of singlet oxygen generation by DMP(V)TPP (0.64) was comparable with that of typical porphyrin photosensitizers. Absorption spectrum measurement demonstrated the binding interaction between DMP(V)TPP and human serum albumin, a water-soluble protein. Photo-irradiated DMP(V)TPP damaged the amino acid residue of human serum albumin, resulting in the decrease of the fluorescence intensity from the tryptophan residue of human serum albumin. A singlet oxygen quencher, sodium azide, could not completely inhibit the damage of human serum albumin, suggesting that the electron transfer mechanism contributes to protein damage as does singlet oxygen generation. The decrease of the fluorescence lifetime of DMP(V)TPP by human serum albumin supported the electron transfer mechanism. The estimated contribution of the electron transfer mechanism is 0.64. These results suggest that the activity of DMP(V)TPP can be preserved under lower oxygen concentration condition such as tumor.     

LC- and CZE-ICP-MS approaches for the in vivo analysis of the anticancer drug candidate sodium trans-[tetrachloridobis(1H-indazole)ruthenate(III)] (KP1339) in mouse plasma

Ruthenium-indazole complexes are promising anticancer agents undergoing clinical trials. KP1339 is administered intravenously (i.v.), where serum proteins are the first available biological binding partners. In order to gain a better insight into the mode of action, mice were treated with different doses of KP1339 i.v. and sacrificed at different time points. The blood plasma was isolated from blood samples and analyzed by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) and size exclusion/anion exchange chromatography (SEC-IC) both combined on-line to inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The performance of the analytical methodology was compared and the interaction of KP1339 with mouse plasma proteins characterized in vivo. Interestingly, the samples of the mice treated with 50 mg kg(-1) and terminated after 24 h showed a ca. 4-fold lowered albumin content and increased ruthenation of albumin aggregates as compared to the untreated control group and the 40 mg kg(-1) group. The majority of Ru was bound to albumin and the stoichiometry of the KP1339 protein binding was determined through the molar Ru/S ratio. In general, good agreement of the data obtained with both techniques was achieved and the SEC-IC method was found to be more sensitive as compared to the CZE-ICP-MS approach, whereas the latter benefits from the shorter analysis time and lower sample consumption.     

Interaction with Both Domain I and III of Albumin Is Required for Optimal pH-dependent Binding to the Neonatal Fc Receptor (FcRn)

Albumin is an abundant blood protein that acts as a transporter of a plethora of small molecules like fatty acids, hormones, toxins, and drugs. In addition, it has an unusual long serum half-life in humans of nearly 3 weeks, which is attributed to its interaction with the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn). FcRn protects albumin from intracellular degradation via a pH-dependent cellular recycling mechanism. To understand how FcRn impacts the role of albumin as a distributor, it is of importance to unravel the structural mechanism that determines pH-dependent binding. Here, we show that although the C-terminal domain III (DIII) of human serum albumin (HSA) contains the principal binding site, the N-terminal domain I (DI) is important for optimal FcRn binding. Specifically, structural inspection of human FcRn (hFcRn) in complex with HSA revealed that two exposed loops of DI were in proximity with the receptor. To investigate to what extent these contacts affected hFcRn binding, we targeted selected amino acid residues of the loops by mutagenesis. Screening by in vitro interaction assays revealed that several of the engineered HSA variants showed decreased binding to hFcRn, which was also the case for two missense variants with mutations within these loops. In addition, four of the variants showed improved binding. Our findings demonstrate that both DI and DIII are required for optimal binding to FcRn, which has implications for our understanding of the FcRn-albumin relationship and how albumin acts as a distributor. Such knowledge may inspire development of novel HSA-based diagnostics and therapeutics.