Loading efficacy and binding analysis of retinoids with milk proteins: a short review

In this review, the loading efficacies of retinoids with milk proteins are investigated. It has been shown that milk proteins β-lactoglobulin, α-, and β-caseins bind retinol and retinoic acid via hydrophobic, hydrophilic, and H-bonding contacts causing minor alterations of protein secondary structure. Hydrophobic contact is predominant in retinoid–protein conjugation and several amino acids are involved in complex formation, stabilized by H-bonding network. Loading efficacy of retinoid was about 30–50% with retinol forming more stable protein conjugates. Milk proteins can transport retinoid to target molecules.     

The interaction between cepharanthine and two serum albumins: multiple spectroscopic and chemometric investigations

The binding modes of cepharanthine (CEPT) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA) have been established by reproducing physiological conditions, which is very important to understand the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of CEPT. These spectral data were further analyzed by the multivariate curve resolution‐alternating least squares method. Moreover, the concentration profiles and pure spectra of three species (BSA/HSA, CEPT and CEPT–BSA/HSA) and the apparent equilibrium constants K_app were evaluated. The experimental results showed that CEPT could quench the fluorescence intensity of BSA/HSA by a combined quenching (static and dynamic) procedure. The binding constant (K), the thermodynamic parameters (ΔG, ΔH and ΔS) and binding subdomain were measured, and indicated that CEPT could spontaneously bind to BSA/HSA on subdomain IIA through the hydrophobic interactions. The effect of CEPT on the secondary structure of proteins has been analyzed by circular dichroism, 3D fluorescence and Fourier transform infrared spectra. The binding distance between CEPT and tryptophan of BSA/HSA was 2.305/1.749 nm, which is based on the Förster resonance energy transfer theory. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Multispectroscopic insight,morphological analysis and molecular docking studies of CuII-based chemotherapeutic drug entity with human serum albumin (HSA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA)

The interaction studies of Cu^II nalidixic acid–DACH chemotherapeutic drug entity, [C₃₆H₅₀N₈O₆Cu] with serum albumin proteins, viz., human serum albumin (HSA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) employing UV–vis, fluorescence, CD, FTIR and molecular docking techniques have been carried out. Complex [C₃₆H₅₀N₈O₆Cu] demonstrated strong binding affinity towards serum albumin proteins via hydrophobic contacts with binding constants, K?=?3.18?×?10⁵ and 7.44?×?10⁴ M^–1 for HSA and BSA, respectively implicating a higher binding affinity for HSA. The thermodynamic parameters ΔG, ΔH and ΔS at different temperatures were also calculated and the interaction of complex [C₃₆H₅₀N₈O₆Cu] with HSA and BSA was found to be enthalpy and entropy favoured, nevertheless, complex [C₃₆H₅₀N₈O₆Cu] demonstrated higher binding affinity towards HSA than BSA evidenced from its higher binding constant values. Time resolved fluorescence spectroscopy (TRFS) was carried out to validate the static quenching mechanism of HSA/BSA fluorescence. The collaborative results of spectroscopic studies indicated that the microenvironment and the conformation of HSA and BSA (α–helix) were significantly perturbed upon interaction with complex [C₃₆H₅₀N₈O₆Cu]. Hirshfeld surfaces analysis and fingerprint plots revealed various intermolecular interactions viz., N–H····O, O–H····O and C–H····O linkages in a 2–dimensional framework that provide crucial information about the supramolecular architectures in the complex. Molecular docking studies were carried out to ascertain the preferential binding mode and affinity of complex [C₃₆H₅₀N₈O₆Cu] at the target site of HSA and BSA. Furthermore, only for Transmission electroscopy microscopy micrographs of HSA and BSA in presence of complex [C₃₆H₅₀N₈O₆Cu] revealed major protein morphological transitions and aggregation which validates efficient delivery of complex by serum proteins to the target site.

Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma     

Locating the binding sites of retinol and retinoic acid with milk β-lactoglobulin

β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) is a member of lipocalin superfamily of transporters for small hydrophobic molecules such as retinoids. We located the binding sites of retinol and retinoic acid on β-LG in aqueous solution at physiological conditions, using FTIR, CD, fluorescence spectroscopic methods, and molecular modeling. The retinoid-binding sites and the binding constants as well as the effect of retinol and retinoic acid complexation on protein stability and secondary structure were determined. Structural analysis showed that retinoids bind strongly to β-LG via both hydrophilic and hydrophobic contacts with overall binding constants of K _{retinol- β -LG?}=?6.4 (±?.6)?×?10⁶?M^?1 and K _{retinoic acid- β -LG?}=?3.3 (±?.5)?×?10⁶?M^?1. The number of retinoid molecules bound per protein (n) is 1.1 (±?.2) for retinol and 1.5 (±?.3) for retinoic acid. Molecular modeling showed the participation of several amino acids in the retinoid–protein complexes with the free binding energy of ?8.11?kcal/mol for retinol and ?7.62?kcal/mol for retinoic acid. Protein conformation was altered with reduction of β-sheet from 59 (free protein) to 52–51% and a major increase in turn structure from 13 (free protein) to 24–22%, in the retinoid–β-LG complexes, indicating a partial protein destabilization.     

Characterization of domain-specific interaction of synthesized dye with serum proteins by spectroscopic and docking approaches along with determination of in vitro cytotoxicity and antiviral activity

The interaction between a synthesized dye with proteins, bovine, and human serum albumin (BSA, HSA, respectively) under physiological conditions has been characterized in detail, by means of steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence, UV–vis absorption, and circular dichroism (CD) techniques. An extensive time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopic characterization of the quenching process has been undertaken in conjugation with temperature-dependent fluorescence quenching studies to divulge the actual quenching mechanism. From the thermodynamic observations, it is clear that the binding process is a spontaneous molecular interaction, in which van der Waals and hydrogen bonding interactions play the major roles. The UV–vis absorption and CD results confirm that the dye can induce conformational and micro-environmental changes of both the proteins. In addition, the dye binding provokes the functionality of the native proteins in terms of esterase-like activity. The average binding distance (r) between proteins and dye has been calculated using FRET. Cytotoxicity and antiviral effects of the dye have been found using Vero cell and HSV-1F virus by performing MTT assay. The AutoDock-based docking simulation reveals the probable binding location of dye within the sub-domain IIA of HSA and IB of BSA.     

Identification of protein carbonylation sites by two-dimensional liquid chromatography in combination with MALDI- and ESI-MS

Oxidative stress is defined as excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) overwhelming the cellular antioxidant defense systems and thereby damaging most constituents of cells including proteins. Reactive carbonyls, i.e. aldehydes, ketones and lactams, are a major class of irreversible oxidative protein modifications that are widely used as biomarkers of oxidative stress, aging and age-related diseases. Whereas carbonylated proteins can be studied by western blotting and ELISA, their site specific mapping still remains a challenging task due to their low abundance and insufficient ionization. Here, we present a new strategy to identify carbonylation sites in a bottom-up approach. Protein digests were derivatized with 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine (DNPH) and separated by hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC). Peptide-containing fractions were then analyzed by laser-desorption/ionization with DNPH as the reactive matrix, which favors DNP-labeled peptides. The mass list generated for each HILIC fraction, representing mostly DNP-modified peptides, was used in the subsequent nano reversed-phase chromatography (RPC) coupled on-line to an electrospray ionization Orbitrap mass spectrometer recording the tandem mass spectra in data dependent acquisition mode. This comprehensive two-dimensional HILIC×RPC-strategy was exemplified for tryptic digests of native bovine serum albumin (BSA) and β-lactoglobulin (β-LG), as well as their in vitro oxidized versions, i.e. oxBSA and oxβ-LG. In total, three carbonylation sites were identified in native β-LG, nine in native BSA, eleven in oxβ-LG and 32 in oxBSA.     

Exploring the interactions of a Tb(III)–quercetin complex with serum albumins (HSA and BSA): spectroscopic and molecular docking studies

Serum albumins (human serum albumin (HSA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA), two main circulatory proteins), are globular and monomeric macromolecules in plasma that transport many drugs and compounds. In the present study, we investigated the interactions of the Tb(III)–quercetin (Tb–QUE) complex with HSA and BSA using common spectroscopic techniques and a molecular docking study. Fluorescence data revealed that the inherent fluorescence emission of HSA and BSA was markedly quenched by the Tb–QUE complex through a static quenching mechanism, confirming stable complex formation (a ground‐state association) between albumins and Tb–QUE. Binding and thermodynamic parameters were obtained from the fluorescence spectra and the related equations at different temperatures under biological conditions. The binding constants (K_b) were calculated to be 0.8547 × 10³ M^?1 for HSA and 0.1363 × 10³ M^?1 for BSA at 298 K. Also, the number of binding sites (n) of the HSA/BSA–Tb–QUE systems was obtained to be approximately 1. Thermodynamic data calculations along with molecular docking results indicated that electrostatic interactions have a main role in the binding process of the Tb–QUE complex with HSA/BSA. Furthermore, molecular docking outputs revealed that the Tb–QUE complex has high affinity to bind to subdomain IIA of HSA and BSA. Binding distances (r) between HSA–Tb–QUE and BSA–Tb–QUE systems were also calculated using the Forster (fluorescence resonance energy transfer) method. It is expected that this study will provide a pathway for designing new compounds with multiple beneficial effects on human health from the phenolic compounds family such as the Tb–QUE complex.     

Study on the interaction of fisetholz with BSA/HSA by multi-spectroscopic,cyclic voltammetric,and molecular docking technique

The interaction of fisetholz with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated by multi-spectroscopic, cyclic voltammetric, and molecular docking technique. The results revealed that there was a static quenching of BSA/HSA induced by fisetholz. The binding constants (K_a) and binding sites (n) were calculated at different temperatures (293, 303, and 311?K). The enthalpy change (ΔH) were calculated to be –17.20?kJ mol^?1 (BSA) and –18.28?kJ mol^?1 (HSA) and the entropy change (ΔS) were calculated to be 35.41?J mol^?1 (BSA) and 24.02?J mol^?1 (HSA), respectively, which indicated that the interaction between fisetholz and BSA/HSA was mainly by electrostatic attraction. Based on displacement experiments using site probes, indomethacin and ibuprofen, the binding site of fisetholz to BSA/HSA was identified as sub-domain IIIA, which was further confirmed by molecular docking method. There was little effect of K⁺, Ca²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Fe³⁺ on fisetholz-BSA or fisetholz-HSA complex. The spectra of synchronous fluorescence, circular dichroism (CD) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) all showed that fisetholz binding to BSA/HSA leads to secondary structures change of the two serum albumins. According to the Förster non-radiation energy transfer theory, the binding distance between fisetholz and BSA/HSA was 2.94/4.68?nm. The cyclic voltammetry as a supporting tool also indicated that fisetholz interacted with protein.

Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma     

Probing the binding sites of resveratrol,genistein, and curcumin with milk β-lactoglobulin

We determined the binding sites of curcumin (cur), resveratrol (res), and genistein (gen) with milk β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) at physiological conditions. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, circular dichroism, and fluorescence spectroscopic methods as well as molecular modeling were used to determine the binding of polyphenol–protein complexes. Structural analysis showed that polyphenols bind β-LG via both hydrophilic and hydrophobic contacts with overall binding constants of K_{curcumin–β-LG}?=?4.4 (±?.4)?×?10⁴ M^?1, K_{resveratrol–β-LG}?=?4.2 (±?.2)?×?10⁴ M^?1, and K_{genistein–β-LG}?=?1.2 (±?.2)?×?10⁴?M^?1. The number of polyphenol molecules bound per protein (n) was 1 (cur), 1.1 (res), and 1 (gen). Molecular modeling showed the participation of several amino acid residues in polyphenol–protein complexation with the free binding energy of ?12.67 (curcumin–β-LG), ?12.60 (resveratrol–β-LG), and ?10.68?kcal/mol (genistein–β-LG). The order of binding was cur?>?res?>?gen. Alteration of the protein conformation was observed in the presence of polyphenol with a major reduction of β-sheet and an increase in turn structure, causing a partial protein structural destabilization. β-LG might act as a carrier to transport polyphenol in vitro.     

Probing the Binding Sites of Antibiotic Drugs Doxorubicin and N-(trifluoroacetyl) Doxorubicin with Human and Bovine Serum Albumins

We located the binding sites of doxorubicin (DOX) and N-(trifluoroacetyl) doxorubicin (FDOX) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumins (HSA) at physiological conditions, using constant protein concentration and various drug contents. FTIR, CD and fluorescence spectroscopic methods as well as molecular modeling were used to analyse drug binding sites, the binding constant and the effect of drug complexation on BSA and HSA stability and conformations. Structural analysis showed that doxorubicin and N-(trifluoroacetyl) doxorubicin bind strongly to BSA and HSA via hydrophilic and hydrophobic contacts with overall binding constants of K _DOX-BSA = 7.8 (±0.7)×10³ M⁻¹, K _FDOX-BSA = 4.8 (±0.5)×10³ M⁻¹ and K _DOX-HSA = 1.1 (±0.3)×10⁴ M⁻¹, K _FDOX-HSA = 8.3 (±0.6)×10³ M⁻¹. The number of bound drug molecules per protein is 1.5 (DOX-BSA), 1.3 (FDOX-BSA) 1.5 (DOX-HSA), 0.9 (FDOX-HSA) in these drug-protein complexes. Docking studies showed the participation of several amino acids in drug-protein complexation, which stabilized by H-bonding systems. The order of drug-protein binding is DOX-HSA > FDOX-HSA > DOX-BSA > FDOX>BSA. Drug complexation alters protein conformation by a major reduction of α-helix from 63% (free BSA) to 47–44% (drug-complex) and 57% (free HSA) to 51–40% (drug-complex) inducing a partial protein destabilization. Doxorubicin and its derivative can be transported by BSA and HSA in vitro.     

Study on the interactions of mapenterol with serum albumins using multi‐spectroscopy and molecular docking

The interactions of mapenterol with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA) have been investigated systematically using fluorescence spectroscopy, absorption spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) and molecular docking techniques. Mapenterol has a strong ability to quench the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA and HSA through static quenching procedures. At 291 K, the binding constants, K_a, were 1.93 × 10³ and 2.73 × 10³ L/mol for mapenterol–BSA and mapenterol–HAS, respectively. Electrostatic forces and hydrophobic interactions played important roles in stabilizing the mapenterol–BSA/has complex. Using site marker competitive studies, mapenterol was found to bind at Sudlow site I on BSA/HSA. There was little effect of K⁺, Ca²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Fe³⁺ on the binding. The conformation of BSA/HSA was changed by mapenterol, as seen from the synchronous fluorescence spectra. The CD spectra showed that the binding of mapenterol to BSA/HSA changed the secondary structure of BSA/HSA. Molecular docking further confirmed that mapenterol could bind to Sudlow site I of BSA/HSA. According to Förster non‐radiative energy transfer theory (FRET), the distances r₀ between the donor and acceptor were calculated as 3.18 and 2.75 nm for mapenterol–BSA and mapenterol–HAS, respectively. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stereoselective plasma protein binding of amlodipine

The binding of the (R)‐ and (S)‐enantiomers of amlodipine to bovine serum albumin (BSA), human serum albumin (HSA), α₁‐acid glycoprotein (AGP), and human plasma (HP) was studied by equilibrium dialysis over the concentration range of 75–200 μM at a protein concentration of 150 μM. Unbound drug concentrations were determined by enantioselective capillary electrophoresis using 50 mM phosphate buffer, pH 2.5, containing 18 mM α‐cyclodextrin as background electrolyte. Saturation of the protein binding sites was not observed over the concentration range tested. Upon application of racemic amlodipine besylate, (S)‐amlodipine was bound to a higher extend by HSA and HP compared with (R)‐amlodipine, whereas the opposite binding of the enantiomers was observed for BSA and AGP. Scatchard analysis was used to illustrate the different binding affinities of amlodipine besylate enantiomers to BSA, HSA and AGP. Chirality, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Fluorimetric determination of proteins using 4‐chloro‐(2′‐hydroxylophenylazo)rhodanine–Ti(IV) complex as a spectral probe

A novel method for the determination of proteins was developed, based on the enhancement of fluorescence with 4‐chloro‐(2′‐hydroxylophenylazo)rhodanine–Ti(IV) [ClHARP–Ti(IV)] complex as a fluorescence probe. The excitation and emission wavelengths of the system were 335 nm and 376 nm, respectively. The presence of bis(2‐ethylhexyl)sulphosuccinate sodium salt (AOT) microemulsion greatly increased the sensitivity of the system. Under optimal conditions, four kinds of proteins, including bovine serum albumin (BSA), human serum albumin (HSA), egg albumin (Ova), and γ‐globin (γ‐G) were studied. The detection limits were 0.182 µg/mL for BSA, 0.0788 µg/mL for HSA, 0.216 µg/mL for Ova and 0.484 µg/mL for γ‐G. The linear ranges of the calibration were 0–12.0, 0–10.0, 0–18.0 and 0–18.0 µg/mL, respectively. The method possessed high sensitivity, good selectivity and was applied to the analysis of protein in milk powder and cornmeal with satisfactory results. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Studies on binding interactions between clenbuterol hydrochloride and two serum albumins by multispectroscopic approaches in vitro

In this study, binding properties of clenbuterol hydrochloride (CL) with human serum albumin (HSA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were examined using constant protein concentrations and various CL contents under physiological conditions. The binding parameters were confirmed using fluorescence quenching spectroscopy at various temperatures. The experimental results confirmed that the quenching mechanisms of CL and HSA/BSA were both static quenching processes. The thermodynamic parameters, namely, enthalpy change (ΔH) and entropy change (ΔS), were calculated according to the van't Hoff equation, which suggested that the electrostatic interactions were the predominant intermolecular forces in stabilizing the CL–HSA complex, and hydrogen bonds and van der Waals force were the predominant intermolecular forces in stabilizing the CL–BSA complex. Furthermore, the conformational changes of HSA/BSA in the presence of CL were determined using the data obtained from three‐dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy, ultraviolet‐visible absorption spectroscopy and circular dichroism spectroscopy. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Binding forces between a novel Schiff base palladium(II) complex and two carrier proteins: human serum albumi and β-lactoglobulin

Ligand binding studies on carrier proteins are crucial in determining the pharmacological properties of drug candidates. Here, a new palladium(II) complex was synthesized and characterized. The in vitro binding studies of this complex with two carrier proteins, human serum albumin (HSA), and β-lactoglobulin (βLG) were investigated by employing biophysical techniques as well as computational modeling. The experimental results showed that the Pd(II) complex interacted with two carrier proteins with moderate binding affinity (K_b ≈ .5 × 10⁴ M^?1 for HSA and .2 × 10³ M^?1 for βLG). Binding of Pd(II) complex to HSA and βLG caused strong fluorescence quenching of both proteins through static quenching mechanism. In two studied systems hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces were the major stabilizing forces in the drug-protein complex formation. UV–Visible and FT-IR measurements indicated that the binding of above complex to HSA and βLG may induce conformational and micro-environmental changes of two proteins. Protein–ligand docking analysis confirmed that the Pd(II) complex binds to residues located in the subdomain IIA of HSA and site A of βLG. All these experimental and computational results suggest that βLG and HSA might act as carrier protein for Pd(II) complex to deliver it to the target molecules.     

Flavonoid–serum albumin complexation: determination of binding constants and binding sites by fluorescence spectroscopy

After a meal rich in plant products, dietary flavonols can be detected in plasma as serum albumin-bound conjugates. Flavonol–albumin binding is expected to modulate the bioavailability of flavonols. In this work, the binding of structurally different flavonoids to human and bovine serum albumins is investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy using three methods: the quenching of the albumin fluorescence, the enhancement of the flavonoid fluorescence, the quenching of the fluorescence of the quercetin–albumin complex by a second flavonoid. The latter method is extended to probes whose high-affinity binding sites are known to be located in one of the two major subdomains (warfarin and dansyl-l-asparagine for subdomain IIA, ibuprofen and diazepam for subdomain IIIA). Overall, flavonoids display moderate affinities for albumins (binding constants in the range 1–15×10⁴ M⁻¹), flavones and flavonols being most tightly bound. Glycosidation and sulfation could lower the affinity to albumin by one order of magnitude depending on the conjugation site. Despite multiple binding of both quercetin and site probes, it can be proposed that the binding of flavonols primarily takes place in subdomain IIA. Significant differences in affinity and binding location are observed for the highly homologous HSA and BSA.     

Preparation and in vitro photodynamic activity of novel silicon(IV) phthalocyanines conjugated to serum albumins

The interactions of four novel silicon(IV) phthalocyanines (SiPc), namely SiPc[OC(3)H(5)(NMe(2))(2)](2) (1), SiPc[OC(3)H(5)(NMe(2))(2)](OMe) (2), {SiPc[OC(3)H(5)(NMe(3))(2)](2)}I(4) (3), and {SiPc[OC(3)H(5)(NMe(3))(2)](OMe)}I(2) (4) with human serum albumin (HSA), bovine serum albumin (BSA), and maleylated bovine serum albumin (mBSA) were studied by fluorescence spectroscopy. The fluorescence emission of the serum albumins was effectively quenched by these phthalocyanines mainly through a static quenching mechanism. The higher Stern-Volmer quenching constants for the unsymmetrically substituted phthalocyanines 2 and 4 suggested that they have a stronger interaction with these proteins than the symmetrically substituted analogues 1 and 3. A series of non-covalent BSA or mBSA conjugates of these phthalocyanines were also prepared and evaluated for their in vitro photodynamic activity against HepG2 human hepatocarcinoma cells. The bioconjugation could enhance the photocytotoxicity of 1 and 4 by up to eight folds, but the effects on 2 and 3 were negligible. The results could be partly explained by two counter-balancing effects, namely the enhanced uptake and increased aggregation tendency of phthalocyanine due to BSA conjugation. As shown by absorption spectroscopy, the tetracationic phthalocyanine 3 was significantly aggregated in the protein cavity and its photocytotoxicity remained the lowest among the four photosensitizers.     

Investigations on the interactions of DiAmsar with serum albumins: Insights from spectroscopic and molecular docking techniques

Diamine‐sarcophagine (DiAmsar) binding to human serum albumin (HSA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated under simulative physiological conditions. Fluorescence spectra in combination with Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), UV‐visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry (CV), and molecular docking method were used in the present work. Experimental results revealed that DiAmsar had an ability to quench the HSA and BSA intrinsic fluorescence through a static quenching mechanism. The Stern–Volmer quenching rate constant (K_sv) was calculated as 0.372 × 10³ M^‐1 and 0.640 × 10³ M^‐1 for HSA and BSA, respectively. Moreover, binding constants (K_a), number of binding sites (n) at different temperatures, binding distance (r), and thermodynamic parameters (?H°, ?S°, and ?G°) between DiAmsar and HSA (or BSA) were calculated. DiAmsar exhibited good binding propensity to HSA and BSA with relatively high binding constant values. The positive ?H° and ?S° values indicated that the hydrophobic interaction is main force in the binding of the DiAmsar to HSA (or BSA). Furthermore, molecular docking results revealed the possible binding site and the microenvironment around the bond. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Resveratrol Binding to Human Serum Albumin

Abstract

Resveratrol (Res), a polyphenolic compound found largely in the skin of red grape and wine, exhibits a wide range of pharmaceutical properties and plays a role in prevention of human cardiovascular diseases [Pendurthi et al., Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. 19, 419–426 (1999)]. It shows a strong affinity towards protein binding and used as inhibitor for cyclo- oxygenase and ribonuclease reductase. The aim of this study was to examine the interaction of resveratrol with human serum albumin (HSA) in aqueous solution at physiological conditions, using a constant protein concentration (0.3 mM) and various pigment contents μM to mM). FTIR, UV-Visible, CD, and fluorescence spectroscopic methods were used to determine the resveratrol binding mode, the binding constant and the effects of pigment complexation on protein secondary structure.

Structural analysis showed that resveratrol bind non-specifically (H-bonding) via polypeptide polar groups with overall binding constant of K_Res = 2.56× 10⁵ M^?1. The protein secondary structure, analysed by CD spectroscopy, showed no major alterations at low resveratrol concentrations (0.125 mM), whereas at high pigment content (1 mM), major increase of α-helix from 57% (free HSA) to 62% and a decrease of β-sheet from 10% (free HSA) to 7% occurred in the resveratrol-HSA complexes. The results indicate a partial stabilization of protein secondary structure at high resveratrol content.     

Structural studies of bovine,equine, and leporine serum albumin complexes with naproxen

Serum albumin, a protein naturally abundant in blood plasma, shows remarkable ligand binding properties of numerous endogenous and exogenous compounds. Most of serum albumin binding sites are able to interact with more than one class of ligands. Determining the protein‐ligand interactions among mammalian serum albumins is essential for understanding the complexity of this transporter. We present three crystal structures of serum albumins in complexes with naproxen (NPS): bovine (BSA‐NPS), equine (ESA‐NPS), and leporine (LSA‐NPS) determined to 2.58 Å (C2), 2.42 Å (P6₁), and 2.73 Å (P2₁2₁2₁) resolutions, respectively. A comparison of the structurally investigated complexes with the analogous complex of human serum albumin (HSA‐NPS) revealed surprising differences in the number and distribution of naproxen binding sites. Bovine and leporine serum albumins possess three NPS binding sites, but ESA has only two. All three complexes of albumins studied here have two common naproxen locations, but BSA and LSA differ in the third NPS binding site. None of these binding sites coincides with the naproxen location in the HSA‐NPS complex, which was obtained in the presence of other ligands besides naproxen. Even small differences in sequences of serum albumins from various species, especially in the area of the binding pockets, influence the affinity and the binding mode of naproxen to this transport protein. Proteins 2014; 82:2199–2208. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.