Interaction of beta-lactoglobulin with resveratrol and its biological implications

Study on the interaction of cationic lipids with bovine serum albumin

There are several lipid binding sites on serum albumins. The aim of this study was to examine the binding of bovine serum albumin (BSA) to cholesterol (Chol), 1,2-dioleoyl-3-(trimethylammonium)propane (DOTAP), (dioctadecyldimethyl)ammonium bromide (DDAB), and dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE), at physiological conditions, using constant protein concentration and various lipid contents. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence spectroscopic methods were used to analyze the lipid binding mode, the binding constant, and the effects of lipid complexation on BSA stability and conformation. Structural analysis showed that lipids bind BSA via both hydrophilic and hydrophobic contacts with overall binding constants of K(Chol) = (1.12 +/- 0.40) x 10(3) M(-1), K(DDAB) = (1.50 +/- 0.50) x 10(3) M(-1), K(DOTAP) = (2.45 +/- 0.80) x 10(3) M(-1), and K(DOPE) = (1.35 +/- 0.60) x 10(3) M(-1). The numbers of bound lipid (n) were 1.1 (cholesterol), 1.28 (DDAB), 1.02 (DOPE), and 1.21 (DOTAP) in these lipid-BSA complexes. DDAB and DOTAP induced major alterations of BSA conformation, causing a partial protein unfolding, while cholesterol and DOPE stabilized protein secondary structure.

Molecular interaction studies of trimethoxy flavone with human serum albumin

BACKGROUND

Human serum albumin (HSA) is the most abundant protein in blood plasma, having high affinity binding sites for several endogenous and exogenous compounds. Trimethoxy flavone (TMF) is a naturally occurring flavone isolated from Andrographis viscosula and used in the treatment of dyspepsia, influenza, malaria, respiratory functions and as an astringent and antidote for poisonous stings of some insects.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

The main aim of the experiment was to examine the interaction between TMF and HSA at physiological conditions. Upon addition of TMF to HSA, the fluorescence emission was quenched and the binding constant of TMF with HSA was found to be K(TMF) = 1.0+/-0.01x10(3) M(-1), which corresponds to -5.4 kcal M(-1) of free energy. Micro-TOF Q mass spectrometry results showed a mass increase of from 66,513 Da (free HSA) to 66,823 Da (HAS +Drug), indicating the strong binding of TMF with HSA resulting in decrease of fluorescence. The HSA conformation was altered upon binding of TMF to HSA with decrease in alpha-helix and an increase in beta-sheets and random coils suggesting partial unfolding of protein secondary structure. Molecular docking experiments found that TMF binds strongly with HSA at IIIA domain of hydrophobic pocket with hydrogen bond and hydrophobic interactions. Among which two hydrogen bonds are formed between O (19) of TMF to Arg 410, Tyr 411 and another one from O (7) of TMF to Asn 391, with bond distance of 2.1 A, 3.6 A and 2.6 A, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

In view of the evidence presented, it is imperative to assign a greater role of HSA's as a carrier molecule for many drugs to understand the interactions of HSA with TMF will be pivotal in the design of new TMF-inspired drugs.

Novel binding studies of human serum albumin with trans-feruloyl maslinic acid

Human serum albumin (HSA) is a predominant protein in the blood. Most drugs can bind to HSA and be transported to target locations of the body. For this study, we have extracted 3-trans-feruloyl maslinic acid (FMA) from the medicinal plant Tetracera asiatica, its a non-fluorescent derivative have potent anti-cancer, anti-HIV, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory activities. The binding constant of the compound with HSA, calculated from fluorescence data, was found as K(FMA)=1.42+/-0.01 x 10(8) M(-1), which corresponds to 10.9 kcal M(-1) of free energy. Furthermore, microTOF-Q mass spectrometry data showed binding of FMA at nanomolar concentrations of FMA to free HSA. The study detected a mass increase from 66,560 Da (free HSA) to 67,919 Da (HSA+drug). This indicated a strong binding of FMA to HSA, resulting in an increase of the protein's absorbance and fluorescence. The secondary structure of HSA+FMA (0.1 mM) complexes showed the protein secondary structure became partially unfolded upon interaction of FMA with HSA, as well as indicating that HSA-FMA complexes were formed. Docking experiments uncovered the binding mode of FMA in HSA molecule. It was found that FMA binds strongly in different places with hydrogen bonding at IB domain of Arg 114, Leu 115 and Asp 173.

Binding of phenolic compounds and their derivatives to bovine and reindeer beta-lactoglobulin

In plant-based food, phenolic compounds usually do not exist in their native form, but as esters, glycosides, or polymers. The native forms, however, require deglycosylation for their intestinal absorption, and aglycone has been considered to be the potential health-protecting/promoting form. The binding of the aglycones of phenolic compounds to bovine and reindeer beta-lactoglobulins (betaLG) using fluorescence quenching was studied. The effects of pH and storage were also studied. Of the compounds investigated, the majority of flavones, flavonols, flavanones, and isoflavones were bound to betaLG. In the pH studies, no significant effects were found. The fact that the phenolic compounds were not released at pH 2 might indicate that they bind to an external part rather than to the central cavity. Studies implicated that betaLG could act as a binder or carrier for phenolic compounds in acidic, basic, or neutral conditions and that the ligand/betaLG complex can remain stable during storage.

In vivo aggregation of bovine beta-lactoglobulin is affected by Cys at position 121

Bovine beta-lactoglobulin (BLG) has been widely used as a model system to study protein folding and aggregation and for biotechnology applications. Native BLG contains two disulfide bonds and one free cysteine at position 121. This free thiol group has been shown to be responsible for the irreversibility of BLG denaturation in vitro, but nothing is known about its relevance during protein folding inside the cell. Here, we report the expression of soluble wild type recombinant BGL in Escherichia coli cells at about 109 mg rBLG/g wet weight cells and a comparison between the aggregation of wt BLG and its variant C121S upon intracellular expression. We show that in E. coli C121SBLG is more prone to aggregation than the wild type protein and that their different behavior depends on the oxidation of disulfide bonds. Our results underline the key contribution of the unpaired cysteine residue during the oxidative folding pathway and indicate BLG as a useful tool for the study of protein aggregation in vivo.