Spectroscopic and computational exploration of hypoxanthine riboside interacting with plasma albumin

Investigation on intermolecular interaction of synthesized azo dyes with bovine serum albumin

This research was performed using spectroscopic techniques and molecular docking to elucidate the mechanisms of interaction between bovine serum albumin (BSA) and two novel synthesized azo dyes. The titration of dyes into BSA solution results in quenching of fluorescence emission by complex formation. The UV-Vis spectroscopy confirms that formation of complex in ground state between both dyes and BSA induces conformational and micro environmental changes of the protein. Based on the calculation of the thermodynamic parameters, it can be concluded that both dyes spontaneously bind onto BSA, and van der Waals force and hydrogen bonding interaction played a predominant roles in the process of spontaneous bonding. The average binding distance (r) between protein and both dyes was calculated by Förster energy transfer measurements and revealed both dyes bind to the BSA residues of tryptophan over short distances. The results of molecular docking studies indicated that the probable binding location of both dyes is subdomain IB of BSA via hydrophobic interaction and hydrogen bond. Furthermore, as shown by synchronous fluorescence and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, both dyes can lead to conformational changes of BSA, which alter its biological functions.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Spectroscopic and computational studies on the binding interaction between gallic acid and Pin1

Gallic acid (GA) is a natural ingredient in functional foods, which has various health-promoting and antitumour effects. Peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase Pin1 plays an important role in preventing the development of some malignant tumours. However, whether there was an interaction between Pin1 and GA remains unknown. In this work, the binding information of GA and Pin1 was investigated systematically using multiple spectral and computational methods. GA bound to Pin1 directly with moderate binding affinity in the order of 10⁴  mol/L, therefore decreasing the activity of Pin1. Also, the binding process of GA to Pin1 was driven through weak van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonds, and electrostatic forces. In addition, the important residues Lys63, Arg68, and Arg69 played a significant role in maintaining the binding stability between Pin1 and GA. Interestingly, GA reduced the activity of Pin1 by affecting its conformational characteristics. Our present work showed that GA binds to Pin1 and inhibits its activity, affecting its structural and functional properties, which may contribute to the therapy of Pin1-related diseases.