Investigation of the interaction between pentachlorophenol and human serum albumin using spectral methods

Delineating the cascade of molecular events in protein aggregation triggered by Glyphosate, aminomethylphosphonic acid, and Roundup in serum albumins

The molecular basis of protein unfolding on exposure to the widely used herbicide, Glyphosate (GLY), its metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), and the commercial formulation Roundup have been probed using human and bovine serum albumins (HSA and BSA). Protein solutions were exposed to chemical stress at set experimental conditions. The study proceeds with spectroscopic and imaging tools. Steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence (TRF) measurements indicated polarity changes with the possibility of forming a ground-state complex. Atomic force microscopy imaging results revealed the formation of fibrils from BSA and dimer, trimer, and tetramer forms of oligomers from HSA under the chemical stress of GLY. In the presence of AMPA, serum albumins (SAs) form a compact network of oligomers. The compact network of oligomers was transformed into fibrils for HSA with increasing concentrations of AMPA. In contrast, Roundup triggered the formation of amorphous aggregates from SAs. Analysis of the Raman amide I band of all aggregates showed a significant increase in antiparallel β-sheet fractions at the expense of α-helix. The highest percentage, 24.6%, of antiparallel β-sheet fractions was present in amorphous aggregate formed from HSA under the influence of Roundup. These results demonstrated protein unfolding, which led to the formation of oligomers and fibrils.

Luminescent lanthanide(III) complexes of DTPA-bis(amido-phenyl-terpyridine) for bioimaging and phototherapeutic applications

We report here a series of coordinatively-saturated and thermodynamically stable luminescent [Ln(dtntp)(H₂O)] [Ln(III) = Eu (1), Tb (2), Gd (3), Sm (4) and Dy (5)] complexes using an aminophenyl-terpyridine appended-DTPA (dtntp) chelating ligand as cell imaging and photocytotoxic agents. The N,N″-bisamide derivative of H₅DTPA named as dtntp is based on 4'-(4-aminophenyl)-2,2':6',2″-terpyridine conjugated to diethylenetriamine-N,N',N″-pentaacetic acid. The structure, physicochemical properties, detailed photophysical aspects, interaction with DNA and serum proteins, and photocytotoxicity were studied. The intrinsic luminescence of Eu(III) and Tb(III) complexes due to f → f transitions used to evaluate their cellular uptake and distribution in cancer cells. The solid-state structure of [Eu(dtntp)(DMF)] (1·DMF) shows a discrete mononuclear molecule with nine-coordinated {EuN₃O₆} distorted tricapped-trigonal prism (TTP) coordination geometry around the Eu(III). The {EuN₃O₆} core results from three nitrogen atoms and three carboxylate oxygen atoms, and two carbonyl oxygen atoms of the amide groups of dtntp ligand. The ninth coordination site is occupied by an oxygen atom of DMF as a solvent from crystallization. The designed probes have two aromatic pendant phenyl-terpyridine (Ph-tpy) moieties as photo-sensitizing antennae to impart the desirable optical properties for cellular imaging and photocytotoxicity. The photostability, coordinative saturation, and energetically rightly poised triplet states of dtntp ligand allow the efficient energy transfer (ET) from Ph-tpy to the emissive excited states of the Eu(III)/Tb(III), makes them luminescent cellular imaging probes. The Ln(III) complexes show significant binding tendency to DNA (K ~ 10⁴ M^-1), and serum proteins (BSA and HSA) (K ~ 10⁵ M^-1). The luminescent Eu(III) (1) and Tb(III) (2) complexes were utilized for cellular internalization and cytotoxicity studies due to their optimal photophysical properties. The cellular uptake studies using fluorescence imaging displayed intracellular (cytosolic and nuclear) localization in cancer cells. The complexes 1 and 2 displayed significant photocytotoxicity in HeLa cells. These results offer a modular design strategy with further scope to utilize appended N,N,N-donor tpy moiety for developing light-responsive luminescent Ln(III) bioprobes for theranostic applications.

Comprehensive investigations about the binding interaction of acesulfame with human serum albumin

In this work, the binding interaction of an artificial sweetener, acesulfame (ACS) with human serum albumin (HSA) are investigated at the molecular level by using spectral methods and molecular modeling. ACS has the ability to induce static quenching of the intrinsic fluorescence of HSA by a complex formed between HSA and ACS through weak multi-noncovalent forces including hydrophobic, hydrogen bond and van der Waals forces. ACS enters subdomain IIA of HSA to induce the tertiary structure changes of HSA and decreased the hydrophobicity of protein. In addition, ACS binding does not obviously alter the secondary structure of HSA. This study is hoped to provide some crucial information for further investigations of the biosafety of sweetener.

Evaluation of the interaction of novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor apatinib mesylate with bovine serum albumin using spectroscopies and theoretical calculation approaches

Apatinib mesylate (APM), a novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been applied in treating various cancers. In the present study, the binding mechanism of APM with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was studied by making use of various spectroscopic and theoretical calculation approaches to provide theoretical support for further studying its pharmacokinetics and metabolism. The results from fluorescence experiments showed that the quenching mechanism of BSA induced by APM was static quenching and the APM-BSA complex with the stoichiometry of 1:1 was formed during binding reaction. Moreover, the findings also showed that the binding process of APM to BSA was spontaneous and enthalpy-driven, and the mainly driving forces were hydrogen bonding, van der Waals as well as hydrophobic interactions. From the outcomes of the competitive experiments, it can be found that the binding site was primarily nestled in sub-domain IIIA of BSA (site II) which was in line with the results of molecular docking. An appreciable decline in α-helix content of BSA can be observed from the FT-IR data, meaning that the conformational change of BSA occurred after binding with APM, this phenomenon can be corroborated by the results of UV-vis, synchronous fluorescence and 3D fluorescence studies. Furthermore, the effect of some metal ions (e.g. K⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Fe³⁺) on the binding constant of APM to BSA was explored.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Understanding the fate of human serum albumin upon interaction with edifenphos: Biophysical and biochemical approaches

Edifenphos (EDF), an important organophosphate fungicide used in agriculture, is a great threat to human health and environment. To assess the toxicity of EDF at the level of protein molecule, the effect of EDF on human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated by biophysical and biochemical approaches. EDF-HSA complex is formed as a result of static quenching as revealed by the intrinsic fluorescence analysis. Thermodynamic analysis of the binding data suggests involvement of hydrophobic interactions in EDF-HSA complex formation, which is in line with molecular docking results. Moreover, thermodynamic parameters of binding between EDF and HSA suggest entropy-driven spontaneous interaction, presumably dominated by hydrophobic forces. Further, binding site of EDF seems to have been located within sub-domain IIA of HSA. EDF binding to HSA decreases its alpha helical content as analyzed by CD spectra. Marked micro-environmental changes around tryptophan/tyrosine residues in HSA upon EDF binding were recorded via three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy. Substantial release of protein carbonyl from HSA as a result of EDF treatment suggested involvement of ROS in EDF induced protein damage. This work is expected to provide some leads toward EDF induced toxicity in humans and would be helpful in reinforcing the check on food safety.

Spectroscopic and molecular modeling study on the separate and simultaneous bindings of alprazolam and fluoxetine hydrochloride to human serum albumin (HSA): with the aim of the drug interactions probing

The objective of the present research is to study the interaction of separate and simultaneous of alprazolam (ALP) and fluoxetine hydrochloride (FLX) with human serum albumin (HSA) in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) using different kinds of spectroscopic, cyclic voltammetry and molecular modeling techniques. The absorbance spectra of protein, drugs and protein-drug showed complex formation between the drugs and HSA. Fluorescence analysis demonstrated that ALP and FLX could quench the fluorescence spectrum of HSA and demonstrated the conformational change of HSA in the presence of both drugs. Also, fluorescence quenching mechanism of HSA-drug complexes both separately and simultaneously was suggested as static quenching. The analysis of UV absorption data and the fluorescence quenching of HSA in the binary and ternary systems showed that FLX decreased the binding affinity between ALP and HSA. On the contrary, ALP increased the binding affinity of FLX and HSA. The results of synchronous fluorescence and three-dimensional fluorescence spectra indicated that the binding of drugs to HSA would modify the microenvironment around the Trp and Tyr residues and the conformation of HSA. The distances between Trp residue and the binding sites of the drugs were estimated according to the Förster theory, and it was demonstrated that non-radiative energy transfer from HSA to the drugs occurred with a high probability. Moreover, according to CV measurements, the decrease of peak current in the cyclic voltammogram of the both drugs in the presence of HSA revealed that they interacted with albumin and binding constants were calculated for binary systems which were in agreement with the binding constants obtained from UV absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The prediction of the best binding sites of ALP and FLX in binary and ternary systems in molecular modeling approach was done using of Gibbs free energy.

Interaction of prometryn to human serum albumin: insights from spectroscopic and molecular docking studies

Prometryn possesses much potential hazard to environment because of its chemical stability and biological toxicity. Here, the binding properties of prometryn with human serum albumin (HSA) and the protein structural changes were determined under simulative physiological conditions (pH 7.4) by multispectroscopic methods including fluorescence, UV-vis absorption, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, coupled with molecular modeling technique. The result of fluorescence titration suggested that the fluorescence quenching of HSA by prometryn was considered as a static quenching procedure. The negative enthalpy change (ΔH(○)) and positive entropy change (ΔS(○)) values indicated that the binding process was governed mainly by hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds. The site marker displacement experiments suggested the location of prometryn binding to HSA was Sudlow's site I in subdomain IIA. Furthermore, molecular docking studies revealed prometryn can bind in the large hydrophobic activity of subdomain IIA. Analysis of UV-vis absorption, synchronous fluorescence, CD and FT-IR spectra demonstrated that the addition of prometryn resulted in rearrangement and conformational alteration of HSA with reduction in α-helix and increases in β-sheet, β-turn and random coil structures. This work provided reasonable model helping us further understand the transportation, distribution and toxicity effect of prometryn when it spreads into human blood serum.

Evaluation of the number of binding sites in proteins from their intrinsic fluorescence: limitations and pitfalls

Changes in the intrinsic protein fluorescence with the additive concentration provide one of the most employed methodologies for the evaluation of the binding constant and the number of binding sites. In the last years, more than 175 studies have been published where the double logarithmic plot shown below is used toward determining the number of equivalent binding sites (n). Log [(F° - F)/F] = log K + n log [Q0 ]. However, the value of n evaluated by this procedure is unrelated to the number of equivalent binding sites; rather it represents the stoichiometry of the binding step. The confusion on the meaning of n arises upon assuming that the binding process is represented by the forward and backward elementary steps shown below, implying that binding of the n solutes takes place simultaneously, i.e. there are no intermediate species. nQ + P ⇆ Qn P. The conclusion that n is unrelated to the number of equivalent binding sites is supported by the fact that in all the systems considered (99% of them) n values are close to one and much smaller than those obtained by ultrafiltration. It is then remarkable, the profusion of publications in peer-reviewed, specialized journals including a conceptual error that confuses Hill's coefficient and/or the stoichiometry of the binding step with the number of independent binding sites. Here, we discuss the origin of this common misconception and provide alternative methods to determine the number of binding sites.

Synthesis, characterization and interaction of N,N'-dipyridoxyl (1,4-butanediamine) Co(III) salen complex with DNA and HSA

Co(III) salen complex with N,N'-dipyridoxyl (1,4-butanediamine) Schiff-base ligand as tetradentate ligand was synthesized and characterized by the elemental and spectroscopic analysis. The interaction of this complex with calf thymus DNA (ct DNA) has been investigated in vitro using UV absorption, fluorescence spectroscopy, thermal denaturation and gel electrophoresis techniques. The binding constant has been estimated to be 1×10(4)M(-1) using UV absorption. The addition of ct DNA to Co(III) salen solution resulted in a fluorescence quenching. The binding constant and site size binding have been calculated in connection with other experimental observations show that the interactive model between Co(III) salen and ct DNA is an intercalative one. The interaction between plasmid DNA (pTZ57R DNA) and this complex is confirmed by gel electrophoresis studies. Furthermore, the interaction between HSA and Co(III) salen complex was investigated by UV absorption, fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular modeling. The binding constant for the interaction of this complex with HSA were found to be 3.854×10(4)M(-1) using UV absorption, which was in good agreement with the binding constant obtained from fluorescence method (3.866×10(4)M(-1)). The binding distance between HSA and this complex was estimated to be 2.48nm according to Förster theory of non-radioactive energy transfer. Molecular modeling studies suggested that hydrophobic interaction was the predominant intermolecular forces stabilizing Co(III) complex-HSA system.

In vitro investigation of the interaction between pentachlorophenol and alkaline phosphatase by spectroscopic methods

The interaction characteristics of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) with pentachlorophenol (PCP) were investigated using fluorescence, UV-vis absorption, and circular dichroism (CD) techniques. Results obtained from analysis of fluorescence intensity indicated that PCP has a strong ability to quench the intrinsic fluorescence of ALP through a static quenching procedure. The thermodynamic parameters ΔH and ΔS were observed to be -4.60kJmol(-1) and 54.59Jmol(-1)K(-1), respectively, and the value of ΔG was negative. These results indicate that the binding reactions were spontaneous, and both hydrophobic and electrostatic forces were involved in the interaction of PCP and ALP. Based on Forster's theory of non-radiation energy transfer, the binding distance, r, between the ALP and PCP was evaluated to be 2.50nm and the critical distance R(0) was 2.26nm. The CD spectra results showed that the α-helicity was decreased from 49.68% in native ALP to 47.28% in PCP-ALP systems, which indicate the secondary structure of ALP was changed slightly in the presence of PCP.

Studies on the interaction between chromium(VI) and human serum albumin: spectroscopic approach

The interaction between Cr(2)O(7)(2-) and human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated using fluorescence, UV/vis, FT-IR, CD spectroscopy, and molecular modeling method. The experimental results showed that the fluorescence quenching of HSA by Cr(2)O(7)(2-) is a result of the formation of HSA-chromium(VI) complex; static quenching was confirmed to result in the fluorescence quenching. The corresponding thermodynamic parameters showed that the process of binding Cr(2)O(7)(2-) on HSA was a spontaneous molecular interaction procedure. Ionic, H-bonds and van der Waals interactions play a major role in stabilizing the complex. The Cr(2)O(7)(2-) altered the environments of Trp and Tyr residues in HSA.

Investigation of the behavior of HSA upon binding to amlodipine and propranolol: Spectroscopic and molecular modeling approaches

The interaction between human serum albumin (HSA) and two drugs - amlodipine and propranolol - was investigated using fluorescence, UV absorption and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. In addition, the binding site was established by applying molecular modeling technique. Fluorescence data suggest that amlodipine will quench the intrinsic fluorescence of HSA; whereas propranolol enhances the fluorescence of HSA. The binding constants for the interaction of amlodipine and propranolol with HSA were found to be 3.63×10(5)M(-1) and 2.29×10(4)M(-1), respectively. The percentage of secondary structure feature of each one of the HSA-bound drugs, i.e. the α-helix content, was estimated empirically by circular dichroism. The results indicated that amlodipine causes an increase, and that propranolol leads to a decrease in α-helix content of HSA. The spectroscopic analysis indicates that the binding mechanisms of the two drugs are different from each other. The data obtained by the molecular modeling study indicated that these drugs bind, with different affinity, to different sites located in subdomain IIA and IIIA.

Fluorescence spectroscopic investigation of the interaction between triphenyltin and humic acids

The interaction between triphenyltin (TPT) and humic acid (HA) was investigated using UV-vis and fluorescence spectra techniques. The experimental results showed that the fluorescence quenching of HA by TPT was a result of the interaction of TPT with HA. The binding constant K(b) and corresponding thermodynamic parameters were measured at different temperatures. The binding of TPT molecule to HA is a spontaneous molecular interaction procedure in which entropy increased and Gibbs free energy decreased. Hydrophobic interaction force plays a major role in stabilizing the TPT-HA complex. The three-dimensional fluorescence contour spectra revealed that TPT could enter into the hydrophobic cavities in some domain of HA.

Spectroscopic studies on the interaction of fluorine containing triazole with bovine serum albumin

The binding of one fluorine including triazole (C(10)H(9)FN(4)S, FTZ) to bovine serum albumin (BSA) was studied by spectroscopic techniques including fluorescence spectroscopy, UV-Vis absorption, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy under simulative physiological conditions. Fluorescence data revealed that the fluorescence quenching of BSA by FTZ was the result of forming a complex of BSA-FTZ, and the binding constants (K (a)) at three different temperatures (298, 304, and 310 K) were 1.516 × 10(4), 1.627 × 10(4), and 1.711 × 10(4) mol L(-1), respectively, according to the modified Stern-Volmer equation. The thermodynamic parameters ΔH and ΔS were estimated to be 7.752 kJ mol(-1) and 125.217 J mol(-1) K(-1), respectively, indicating that hydrophobic interaction played a major role in stabilizing the BSA-FTZ complex. It was observed that site I was the main binding site for FTZ to BSA from the competitive experiments. The distance r between donor (BSA) and acceptor (FTZ) was calculated to be 7.42 nm based on the Förster theory of non-radioactive energy transfer. Furthermore, the analysis of fluorescence data and CD data revealed that the conformation of BSA changed upon the interaction with FTZ.