Multispectroscopic exploration and molecular docking analysis on interaction of eriocitrin with bovine serum albumin

Eriocitrin is a flavanone glycoside, which exists in lemon or lime citrus fruits. It possesses antioxidant, anticancer, and anti‐allergy activities. In order to investigate the pharmacokinetics and pharmacological mechanisms of eriocitrin in vivo, the interaction between eriocitrin and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was studied under the simulated physiological conditions by multispectroscopic and molecular docking methods. The results well indicated that eriocitrin and BSA formed a new eriocitrin‐BSA complex because of intermolecular interactions, which was demonstrated by the results of ultraviolet‐visible (UV‐vis) absorption spectra. The intrinsic fluorescence of BSA was quenched by eriocitrin, and static quenching was the quenching mechanism. The number of binding sites (n) and binding constant (K_b) at 310 K were 1.22 and 2.84 × 10⁶ L mol^?1, respectively. The values of thermodynamic parameters revealed that the binding process was spontaneous, and the main forces were the hydrophobic interaction. The binding distance between eriocitrin and BSA was 3.43 nm. In addition, eriocitrin changed the conformation of BSA, which was proved by synchronous fluorescence and circular dichroism (CD) spectra. The results of site marker competitive experiments suggested that eriocitrin was more likely to be inserted into the subdomain IIA (site I), which was further certified by molecular docking studies.     

Molecular interactions of thymol with bovine serum albumin: Spectroscopic and molecular docking studies

Thymol is the main monoterpene phenol present in the essential oils which is used in the food industry as flavoring and preservative agent. In this study, the interaction of thymol with the concentration range of 1 to 6 μM and bovine serum albumin (BSA) at fixed concentration of 1 μM was investigated by fluorescence, UV‐vis, and molecular docking methods under physiological‐like condition. Fluorescence experiments were performed at 5 different temperatures, and the results showed that the fluorescence quenching of BSA by thymol was because of a static quenching mechanism. The obtained binding parameters, K, were in the order of 10⁴ M^?1, and the binding number, n, was approximately equal to unity indicating that there is 1 binding site for thymol on BSA. Calculated thermodynamic parameters for enthalpy (ΔH), entropy (ΔS), and Gibb's free energy (ΔG) showed that the reaction was spontaneous and hydrophobic interactions were the main forces in the binding of thymol to BSA. The results of UV‐vis spectroscopy and Arrhenius' theory showed the complex formation in the interaction of thymol and BSA. Negligible conformational changes in BSA by thymol were observed in fluorescence experiments, and the same results were also obtained from UV‐vis studies. Results of molecular docking indicated that the subdomain IA of BSA was the binding site for thymol.     

In vitro study on binding interaction of quinapril with bovine serum albumin (BSA) using multi-spectroscopic and molecular docking methods

The binding interaction between quinapril (QNPL) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) in vitro has been investigated using UV absorption spectroscopy, steady-state fluorescence spectroscopic, synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy, 3D fluorescence spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, circular dichroism, and molecular docking methods for obtaining the binding information of QNPL with BSA. The experimental results confirm that the quenching mechanism of the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA induced by QNPL is static quenching based on the decrease in the quenching constants of BSA in the presence of QNPL with the increase in temperature and the quenching rates of BSA larger than 10¹⁰ L mol^?1 s^?1, indicating forming QNPL–BSA complex through the intermolecular binding interaction. The binding constant for the QNPL–BSA complex is in the order of 10⁵ M^?1, indicating there is stronger binding interaction of QNPL with BSA. The analysis of thermodynamic parameters together with molecular docking study reveal that the main binding forces in the binding process of QNPL with BSA are van der Waal’s forces and hydrogen bonding interaction. And, the binding interaction of BSA with QNPL is an enthalpy-driven process. Based on Förster resonance energy transfer, the binding distance between QNPL and BSA is calculated to be 2.76 nm. The results of the competitive binding experiments and molecular docking confirm that QNPL binds to sub-domain IIA (site I) of BSA. It is confirmed there is a slight change in the conformation of BSA after binding QNPL, but BSA still retains its secondary structure α-helicity.     

Combined spectroscopies and molecular docking approach to characterizing the binding interaction of enalapril with bovine serum albumin

The binding interaction between bovine serum albumin (BSA) and enalapril (ENPL) at the imitated physiological conditions (pH = 7.4) was investigated using UV–vis absorption spectroscopy (UV–vis), fluorescence emission spectroscopy (FES), synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), circular dichroism (CD) and molecular docking methods. It can be deduced from the experimental results from the steady‐state fluorescence spectroscopic titration that the intrinsic BSA fluorescence quenching mechanism induced by ENPL is static quenching, based on the decrease in the BSA quenching constants in the presence of ENPL with increase in temperature and BSA quenching rates >10¹⁰ L mol^?1 sec^?1. This result indicates that the ENPL–BSA complex is formed through an intermolecular interaction of ENPL with BSA. The main bonding forces for interaction of BSA and ENPL are van der Waal's forces and hydrogen bonding interaction based on negative values of Gibbs free energy change (ΔG ⁰), enthalpic change (ΔH ⁰) and entropic change (ΔS ⁰). The binding of ENPL with BSA is an enthalpy‐driven process due to |ΔH °| > |T ΔS °| in the binding process. The results of competitive binding experiments and molecular docking confirm that ENPL binds in BSA sub‐domain IIA (site I) and results in a slight change in BSA conformation, but BSA still retains its α‐helical secondary structure.     

Comparative studies on the interactions of dihydroartemisinin and artemisinin with bovine serum albumin using spectroscopic methods

The interactions of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) and artemisinin (ART) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) have been investigated using fluorescence, UV/vis absorption and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra under simulated physiological conditions. The binding characteristics of DHA/ART and BSA were determined by fluorescence emission and resonance light scattering (RLS) spectra. The quenching mechanism between BSA and DHA/ART is static. The binding constants and binding sites of DHA/ART–BSA systems were calculated at different temperatures (293, 298, 304 and 310 K). According to Förster non‐radiative energy transfer theory, the binding distance of BSA to DHA/ART was calculated to be 1.54/1.65 nm. The effect of DHA/ART on the secondary structure of BSA was analyzed using UV/vis absorption, FTIR, synchronous fluorescence and 3D fluorescence spectra. In addition, the effects of common ions on the binding constants of BSA–DHA and BSA–ART systems were also discussed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Combined spectroscopies and molecular docking approach to characterizing the binding interaction between lisinopril and bovine serum albumin

To further understand the mode of action and pharmacokinetics of lisinopril, the binding interaction of lisinopril with bovine serum albumin (BSA) under imitated physiological conditions (pH 7.4) was investigated using fluorescence emission spectroscopy, synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), circular dichroism (CD) and molecular docking methods. The results showed that the fluorescence quenching of BSA near 338 nm resulted from the formation of a lisinopril–BSA complex. The number of binding sites (n) for lisinopril binding on subdomain IIIA (site II) of BSA and the binding constant were ~ 1 and 2.04 × 10⁴ M^–1, respectively, at 310 K. The binding of lisinopril to BSA induced a slight change in the conformation of BSA, which retained its α‐helical structure. However, the binding of lisinopril with BSA was spontaneous and the main interaction forces involved were van der Waal's force and hydrogen bonding interaction as shown by the negative values of ΔG⁰, ΔH⁰ and ΔS⁰ for the binding of lisinopril with BSA. It was concluded from the molecular docking results that the flexibility of lisinopril also played an important role in increasing the stability of the lisinopril–BSA complex. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spectroscopic and molecular docking studies on the interaction between N‐acetyl cysteine and bovine serum albumin

The interaction between N‐acetyl cysteine (NAC) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated by UV–vis, fluorescence spectroscopy, and molecular docking methods. Fluorescence study at three different temperatures indicated that the fluorescence intensity of BSA was reduced upon the addition of NAC by the static quenching mechanism. Binding constant (K_b) and the number of binding sites (n) were determined. The binding constant for the interaction of NAC and BSA was in the order of 10³ M^?1, and the number of binding sites was obtained to be equal to 1. Enthalpy (ΔH), entropy (ΔS), and Gibb's free energy (ΔG) as thermodynamic values were also achieved by van't Hoff equation. Hydrogen bonding and van der Waals force were the major intermolecular forces in the interaction process and it was spontaneous. Finally, the binding mode and the binding sites were clarified using molecular docking which were in good agreement with the results of spectroscopy experiments. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 103: 638–645, 2015.     

Investigation of the molecular interactions of triclocarban with human serum albumin using multispectroscopies and molecular modeling

Triclocarban (TCC), as a broad spectrum antibacterial agent widely used in personal care products, has recently been recognized as environmental pollutant with the potential of adversely affecting wildlife and human health. However, the behavior of TCC in blood circulatory system and the potential toxicity of TCC at the molecular level have been poorly investigated. In this study, the effect of TCC on human serum albumin (HSA) and the binding mechanism of TCC to HSA were examined using spectroscopic techniques and molecular modeling methods. The fluorescence results suggested that the fluorescence of HSA was quenched by TCC through a static quenching mechanism and nonradiation energy transfer, and TCC was bound to HSA with moderately strong binding affinity via hydrophobic interaction based on the analysis of the thermodynamic parameters. The site marker competitive experiments revealed that TCC bound into subdomain IIA (site I) of HSA. In addition, the results obtained from the circular dichroism, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid fluorescence, synchronous fluorescence, three-dimensional fluorescence spectra and dynamic light scattering suggested the change in the microenvironment and conformation of HSA during the binding reaction. Finally, the best binding mode of TCC and specific interaction of TCC with amino acid residues were determined using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. In a word, the present studies can provide a way to help us well understand the transport, distribution and toxicity effect of TCC when it diffused in the human body.

Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma     

Spectroscopy and docking simulations of the interaction between lochnericine and bovine serum albumin

Lochnericine (LOC) is a component of Voacanga africana, which is a type of traditional medical food in Africa widely used for treating diseases. In this article, the interaction between LOC and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was studied by fluorescence spectroscopy. Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Raman and circular dichroism (CD) were used to investigate the structural changes of BSA. The experimental results consistently indicated that LOC changed the secondary structure of BSA. Three structure‐similar components were used to study the interference experiments. The molecular modeling results showed that LOC could bind within not only sites I and II, but also bind the cavity of subdomain IB. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Probing into the binding interaction between medroxyprogesterone acetate and bovine serum albumin (BSA): spectroscopic and molecular docking methods

To further understand the mechanism of action and pharmacokinetics of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), the binding interaction of MPA with bovine serum albumin (BSA) under simulated physiological conditions (pH 7.4) was studied using fluorescence emission spectroscopy, synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism and molecular docking methods. The experimental results reveal that the fluorescence of BSA quenches due to the formation of MPA–BSA complex. The number of binding sites (n) and the binding constant for MPA–BSA complex are ~1 and 4.6 × 10³ M^?1 at 310 K, respectively. However, it can be concluded that the binding process of MPA with BSA is spontaneous and the main interaction forces between MPA and BSA are van der Waals force and hydrogen bonding interaction due to the negative values of ΔG⁰, ΔH⁰ and ΔS⁰ in the binding process of MPA with BSA. MPA prefers binding on the hydrophobic cavity in subdomain IIIA (site II′′) of BSA resulting in a slight change in the conformation of BSA, but BSA retaining the α‐helix structure. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fluorescence spectrometric study on the interaction of tamibarotene with bovine serum albumin

The interaction between tamibarotene and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was studied using fluorescence quenching technique and ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry. The results of experiments showed that tamibarotene could strongly quench the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA by a dynamic quenching mechanism. The apparent binding constant, number of binding site and corresponding thermodynamic parameters at different temperatures were calculated respectively, and the main interaction force between tamibarotene and BSA was proved to be hydrophobic force. Synchronous fluorescence spectra showed that tamibarotene changed the molecular conformation of BSA. When BSA concentration was 1.00 × 10^?6 mol L^?1, the quenched fluorescence ΔF had a good linear relationship with the concentration of tamibarotene in the range 1.00 × 10^?6 to 12.00 × 10^?6 mol L^?1 with the detection limit of 6.52 × 10^?7 mol L^?1. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Probing the behavior of bovine serum albumin upon binding to atenolol: insights from spectroscopic and molecular docking approaches

Molecular interaction of atenolol, a selective β₁ receptor antagonist with the major carrier protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA), was investigated under imitated physiological conditions (pH 7.4) by means of fluorescence spectroscopy, UV absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and molecular modeling studies. The steady-state fluorescence spectra manifested that static type, due to formation of the atenolol-BSA complex, was the dominant mechanism for fluorescence quenching. The characteristic information about the binding interaction of atenolol with BSA in terms of binding constant (K_b) were determined by the UV–vis absorption titration, and were found to be in the order of 10³ M^?1 at different temperatures, indicating the existence of a weak binding in this system. Thermodynamic analysis revealed that the binding process was primarily mediated by van der Waals force and hydrogen bonds due to the negative sign for enthalpy change (ΔH⁰), entropy change (ΔS⁰). The molecular docking results elucidated that atenolol preferred binding on the site II of BSA according to the findings observed in competitive binding experiments. Moreover, via alterations in synchronous fluorescence, three-dimensional fluorescence and FT-IR spectral properties, it was concluded that atenolol could arouse slight configurational and micro-environmental changes of BSA.     

Exploring the interaction of the photodynamic therapeutic agent thionine with bovine serum albumin: multispectroscopic and molecular docking studies

This study explores the binding interaction of thionine (TH) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) under physiological conditions (pH 7.40) using absorption, emission, synchronous emission, circular dichroism (CD) and three‐dimensional (3D) emission spectral studies. The results of emission titration experiments revealed that TH strongly quenches the intrinsic emission of BSA via a static quenching mechanism. The apparent binding constant (K) and number of binding sites (n) were calculated as 2.09 × 10⁵ dm³/mol and n~1, respectively. The negative free energy change value for the BSA–TH system suggested that the binding interaction was spontaneous and energetically favourable. The results from absorption, synchronous emission, CD and 3D emission spectral studies demonstrated that TH induces changes in the microenvironment and secondary structure in BSA. Site marker competitive binding experiments revealed that the binding site of TH was located in subdomain IIA (Sudlow site I) of BSA. The molecular docking study further substantiates Sudlow site I as the preferable binding site of TH in BSA. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characterization of interactions of simvastatin,pravastatin, fluvastatin,and pitavastatin with bovine serum albumin: multiple spectroscopic and molecular docking

The binding interactions of simvastatin (SIM), pravastatin (PRA), fluvastatin (FLU), and pitavastatin (PIT) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) were investigated for determining the affinity of four statins with BSA through multiple spectroscopic and molecular docking methods. The experimental results showed that SIM, PRA, FLU, and PIT statins quenched the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA through a static quenching process and the stable stains–BSA complexes with the binding constants in the order of 10⁴ M^?1 at 298 K were formed through intermolecular nonbond interaction. The values of ΔH⁰, ΔS⁰ and ΔG⁰ in the binding process of SIM, PRA, FLU, and PIT with BSA were negative at the studied temperature range, suggesting that the binding process of four statins and BSA was spontaneous and the main interaction forces were van der Waals force and hydrogen-bonding interactions. Moreover, the binding of four statins with BSA was enthalpy-driven process due to |ΔH°|>|TΔS°| under the studied temperature range. From the results of site marker competitive experiments and molecular docking, subdomain IIIA (site II) was the primary binding site for SIM, PRA, FLU, and PIT on BSA. The results of UV–vis absorption, synchronous fluorescence, 3D fluorescence and FT-IR spectra proved that the slight change in the conformation of BSA, while the significant changes in the conformation of SIM, PRA, FLU, and PIT drug in statin–BSA complexes, indicating that the flexibility of statin molecules plays an important role in increasing the stability of statin–BSA complexes.     

Interaction of Prussian blue nanoparticles with bovine serum albumin: a multi-spectroscopic approach

Owning to their exceptional properties, Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) are promising in a variety of biomedical applications. In this scenario, understanding of how PBNPs interact and behave in biological systems is essential. Herein, the interaction of PBNPs with protein was investigated. Specifically, the citric acid stabilized PBNPs with a size of 10 nm were synthesized and characterized. The interactions of these PBNPs with the model protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA), were then probed by spectroscopic methods. It was found that the BSA intrinsic fluorescence was quenched upon addition of PBNPs due to the static interaction, suggesting the binding of PBNPs with BSA. Moreover, the synchronous fluorescence and circular dichroism spectra indicated the conformational change of BSA due to the presence of PBNPs.     

Spectroscopic study of the interaction between lycopene and bovine serum albumin

The interaction of lycopene with bovine serum albumin (BSA) in aqueous solution was studied by fluorescence quenching, three‐dimensional fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopy. The data showed that the fluorescence of BSA was quenched by lycopene at different temperatures through a dynamic mechanism. The evaluation of three‐dimensional fluorescence spectra revealed a conformational modification of BSA induced by coupling with lycopene and an increase in protein diameter as a consequence of the ligand–protein interaction. Moreover, the information obtained from evaluation of the effect of lycopene on BSA conformation by circular dichroism strongly supported the existence of a slight unfolding of BSA induced by coupling to lycopene. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Interaction between fasudil hydrochloride and bovine serum albumin: spectroscopic study

The interaction between fasudil hydrochloride (FSD) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated using fluorescence and ultraviolet spectroscopy under imitated physiological conditions. The Stern–Volmer quenching model has been successfully applied and the results revealed that FSD could quench the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA effectively via static quenching. The binding constants and binding sites for the BSA–FSD system were evaluated. The corresponding thermodynamic parameters obtained at different temperatures indicated that hydrophobic force played a major role in the interaction of FSD and BSA. The distance between the donor (BSA) and the acceptor (FSD) was obtained according to fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy and FT‐IR spectra showed that the conformation of BSA was changed in the presence of FSD. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparative studies on the interaction of cefixime with bovine serum albumin by fluorescence quenching spectroscopy and synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy

Under simulated physiological conditions, the reaction mechanism between cefixime and bovine serum albumin at different temperatures (293, 303 and 310 K) was investigated using a fluorescence quenching method and synchronous fluorescence method, respectively. The results indicated that the fluorescence intensity and synchronous fluorescence intensity of bovine serum albumin decreased regularly on the addition of cefixime. In addition, the quenching mechanism, binding constants, number of binding sites, type of interaction force and energy‐transfer parameters of cefixime with bovine serum albumin obtained from two methods using the same equation were consistent. The results indicated that the synchronous fluorescence spectrometry could be used to study the binding mechanism between drug and protein, and was a useful supplement to the conventional method. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Explication of bovine serum albumin binding with naphthyl hydroxamic acids using a multispectroscopic and molecular docking approach along with its antioxidant activity

In the present investigation, the protein‐binding properties of naphthyl‐based hydroxamic acids (HAs), N‐1‐naphthyllaurohydroxamic acid ( 1 ) and N‐1‐naphthyl‐p‐methylbenzohydroxamic acid ( 2 ) were studied using bovine serum albumin (BSA) and UV–visible spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy–Fourier transform infrared (DRS–FTIR), circular dichroism (CD), and cyclic voltammetry along with computational approaches, i.e. molecular docking. Alteration in the antioxidant activities of compound 1 and compound 2 during interaction with BSA was also studied. From the fluorescence studies, thermodynamic parameters such as Gibb's free energy (ΔG), entropy change (ΔS) and enthalpy change (ΔH) were calculated at five different temperatures (viz., 298, 303, 308, 313 or 318 K) for the HAs–BSA interaction. The results suggested that the binding process was enthalpy driven with dominating hydrogen bonds and van der Waals’ interactions for both compounds. Warfarin (WF) and ibuprofen (IB) were used for competitive site‐specific marker binding interaction and revealed that compound 1 and compound 2 were located in subdomain IIA (Sudlow's site I) on the BSA molecule. Conclusions based on above‐applied techniques signify that various non‐covalent forces were involved during the HAs–BSA interaction. Therefore the resulted HAs–BSA interaction manifested its effect in transportation, distribution and metabolism for the drug in the blood circulation system, therefore establishing HAs as a drug‐like molecule.     

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.