Fluorometric and molecular modeling deciphering the non-covalent interaction between cyromazine and human serum albumin

Investigation of the binding properties between levamlodipine and HSA based on MCR-ALS and computer modeling

Levamlodipine (LEE) is a drug commonly used for antihypertensive treatment in clinical therapy. The overlapping fluorescence spectra of LEE and human serum albumin (HSA) cause some trouble in analysis of interactions between them by using the classic fluorescence method. Here, the multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares (MCR-ALS) approach was used to overcome this disadvantage. Meanwhile, the binding properties of LEE-HSA complex were then explored through computer modeling. The MCR-ALS results suggested that LEE-HSA complex was present in the mixture solution of LEE and HSA. This conclusion was then confirmed by the Stern-Volmer equation and time-resolved fluorescence experiment. The binding constant (K_a) was 2.139 × 10⁴ L·mol^-1 at 298 K. LEE was located close to the Trp-214 residue of HSA, with van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonding as main driving forces for this interaction. LEE can alter the conformation of HSA, in which the content of α-helix reduced from 57.2% to 52.3%. The Pi-Alkyl interactions contributed to maintaining the stability of the LEE-HSA complex. The results of molecular dynamics simulations showed that LEE-HSA complex was formed within 5 ns, and the particle size (R_g) of HSA was altered by the binding reaction. This study would promote better understanding of the transportation and distribution mechanisms of LEE in the human body.

A Rapid and Sensitive Aptasensor for Cyromazine Detection in Raw Milk Based on a Nanogold Probe and G-Quadruplex Formation

Herein, a rapid, facile, and colourimetric sensor for the detection of cyromazine in raw milk is reported using an aptamer based on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). A sequence-specific aptamer for cyromazine called Tcyr1 is designed to absorb on the surface of AuNPs and electrostatically interacts with poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA), which prevents AuNPs from aggregating. It can also self-assemble to form a G-quadruplex-CYR complex with cyromazine. Because of its specificity and stability, the introduction of cyromazine in raw milk would influence the protection thus the following cationic polymer could aggregate AuNPs and cause a remarkable change in colour. According to this, the presence of cyromazine can be determined by the naked eye and means of absorbance. This sensor is selective for the detection of cyromazine in raw milk and has a limit of detection of 200 ppb by the naked eye and of 5.8 ppb by spectrophotometer, and has a detection range from 0.1 to 1 ppm.