Binding study of the fluorescence probe 1-anilino-8-naphthalensulfonate to human plasma and human and bovine serum albumin using potentiometric titration

Exploring the binding characteristics of bovine serum albumin with tyrosine kinase inhibitor entrectinib: Multi-spectral analysis and theoretical calculation

Entrectinib (ENB) is one of multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which is mainly used for treating neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase gene fusion positive solid tumors. The binding characteristics of ENB and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were studied by experiments and theoretical calculations. The steady-state fluorescence showed that ENB quenched the fluorescence of BSA through mixed quenching, and ENB was dominated by static quenching at low concentration. ENB and BSA had a moderate affinity, formed a complex with a stoichiometric ratio of 1:1 and the binding constant of about 10⁵ M^-1 at 298 K, and Förster non-radiative energy transfer occurs. According to the driving force competition experiment, thermodynamic parameter analysis and theoretical calculation, hydrogen bond, van der Waals force and hydrophobic force were the main factors affecting the stability of the ENB-BSA complex. Molecular docking and site markers competition showed that ENB spontaneously bound to the Site III of BSA so that ENB could make the skeleton of BSA loose, the spatial structure of BSA changed (α-helix decreased by 3.1%, random coil increased by 1.7%), and the microenvironment of Tyr and Trp residues changed. The existence of Co²⁺ metal ions can enhance the binding effect, thus prolonging the half-life of ENB in vivo, which may improve the efficacy of ENB, while Ca²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Mg²⁺ metal ions will reduce the efficacy of ENB.

Selective binding of pyrene in subdomain IB of human serum albumin: Combining energy transfer spectroscopy and molecular modelling to understand protein binding flexibility

The ability of human serum albumin (HSA) to bind medium-sized hydrophobic molecules is important for the distribution, metabolism, and efficacy of many drugs. Herein, the interaction between pyrene, a hydrophobic fluorescent probe, and HSA was thoroughly investigated using steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence techniques, ligand docking, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. A slight quenching of the fluorescence signal from Trp214 (the sole tryptophan residue in the protein) in the presence of pyrene was used to determine the ligand binding site in the protein, using Förster's resonance energy transfer (FRET) theory. The estimated FRET apparent distance between pyrene and Trp214 was 27Å, which was closely reproduced by the docking analysis (29Å) and MD simulation (32Å). The highest affinity site for pyrene was found to be in subdomain IB from the docking results. The calculated equilibrium structure of the complex using MD simulation shows that the ligand is largely stabilized by hydrophobic interaction with Phe165, Phe127, and the nonpolar moieties of Tyr138 and Tyr161. The fluorescence vibronic peak ratio I₁/I₃ of bound pyrene inside HSA indicates the presence of polar effect in the local environment of pyrene which is less than that of free pyrene in buffer. This was clarified by the MD simulation results in which an average of 5.7 water molecules were found within 0.5nm of pyrene in the binding site. Comparing the fluorescence signals and lifetimes of pyrene inside HSA to that free in buffer, the high tendency of pyrene to form dimer was almost completely suppressed inside HSA, indicating a high selectivity of the binding pocket toward pyrene monomer. The current results emphasize the ability of HSA, as a major carrier of several drugs and ligands in blood, to bind hydrophobic molecules in cavities other than subdomain IIA which is known to bind most hydrophobic drugs. This ability stems from the nature of the amino acids forming the binding sites of the protein that can easily adapt their shape to accommodate a variety of molecular structures.

Mechanistic investigation of domain specific unfolding of human serum albumin and the effect of sucrose

This study is devoted to understand the unfolding mechanism of a multidomain protein, human serum albumin (HSA), in absence and presence of the sucrose by steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy with domain specific marker molecules and is further being substantiated by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. In water, the domain III of HSA found to unfold first followed by domains I and II as the concentration of GnHCl is increased in the medium. The sequential unfolding behavior of different domains of HSA remains same in presence of sucrose; however, a higher GnHCl concentration is required for unfolding, suggesting stabilizing effect of sucrose on HSA. Domain I is found to be most stabilized by sucrose. The stabilization of domain II is somewhat similar to domain I, but the effect of sucrose on domain III is found to be very small. MD simulation also predicted a similar behavior of sucrose on HSA. The stabilizing effect of sucrose is explained in terms of the entrapment of water molecules in between HSA surface and sucrose layer as well as direct interaction between HSA and sucrose.

In-vitro study on the competitive binding of diflunisal and uraemic toxins to serum albumin and human plasma using a potentiometric ion-probe technique

The competitive binding of diflunisal and three well-known uraemic toxins (3-indoxyl sulfate, indole-3-acetic acid and hippuric acid) to bovine serum albumin (BSA), human serum albumin (HSA) and human plasma was studied by direct potentiometry. The method used the potentiometric drug ion-probe technique with a home-made ion sensor (electrode) selective to the drug anion. The site-oriented Scatchard model was used to describe the binding of diflunisal to BSA, HSA and human plasma, while the general competitive binding model was used to calculate the binding parameters of the three uraemic toxins to BSA. Diflunisal binding parameters, number of binding sites, ni and association constants for each class of binding site, Ki, were calculated in the absence and presence of uraemic toxins. Although diflunisal exhibits high binding affinity for site I of HSA and the three uraemic toxins bind primarily to site II, strong interaction was observed between the drug and the three toxins, which were found to affect the binding of diflunisal on its primary class of binding sites on both BSA and HSA molecules and on human plasma. These results are strong evidence that the decreased binding of diflunisal that occurs in uraemic plasma may not be solely attributed to the lower albumin concentration observed in many patients with renal failure. The uraemic toxins that accumulate in uraemic plasma may displace the drug from its specific binding sites on plasma proteins, resulting in increased free drug plasma concentration in uraemic patients.

Binding properties of hydrophobic molecules to human serum albumin studied by fluorescence titration

Two fluorescence modes were combined to analyze the binding properties of terminally substituted alkanes (C(n)X, X = COOH, OH, CHO, NH(2)) to human serum albumin (HSA). A competitive binding assay using an 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS) fluorescence probe provides information on all the hydrophobic binding sites in HSA. A binding assay using the intrinsic fluorescence of the tryptophan residue in HSA (Trp-HSA) provides information on the specific binding site close to the tryptophan residue. There are three fluorescence-active ANS binding sites in HSA, which can be classified into two types by their affinity for ANS. C(n)COOH bound to all three ANS binding sites including the Trp-HSA site, however, it did not quench the fluorescence of Trp-HSA. C(n)CHO bound only to the Trp-HSA site with quenching of the fluorescence of Trp-HSA. By comparing the binding affinities of HSA for C(n)OH and C(n)CHO, it was concluded that the C(n)OH binding site is different from the C(n)CHO binding site. C(n)NH(2) did not bind to any of the three ANS binding sites in HSA.

Kinetic measurements of protein conformation in a microchip

This paper presents a microchip-based system for collecting kinetic time-based information on protein refolding and unfolding. Dynamic protein conformational change pathways were studied in microchannel flow using a microfluidic device. We present a protein-conserving approach for quantifying refolding by dynamically varying the concentration of the chemical denaturants, guanidine hydrochloride and urea. Short diffusion distances in the microchannel result in rapid equilibrium between protein and titrating solutions. Dilutions on the chip were tightly regulated using pressure controls rather than syringe-based flow, as verified with extensive on-chip tracer dye controls. To validate this protein assay method, folding transition experiments were performed using two well-characterized proteins, human serum albumin (HSA) and bovine carbonic anhydrase (BCA). Transition events were monitored through fluorescence intensity shifts of the protein dye 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid (ANS) during dilutions of protein from urea or guanidine hydrochloride solutions. The enzymatic activity of refolded BCA was measured by UV absorption through the conversion of p-nitrophenyl acetate (p-NPA). The microchip protein refolding transitions using ANS were well-correlated with conventional plate-based experiments. The microfluidic platform enables refolding studies to identify rapidly the optimal folding strategy for a protein using small quantities of material.

Use of Triplet Excited States for the Study of Drug Binding to Human and Bovine Serum Albumins

The triplet excited states of (S)- and (R)-flurbiprofen (FBP) have been used as reporters for the microenvironments experienced within the binding sites of human and bovine serum albumins. Regression analysis of triplet decay provides valuable information on the degree of protection that these excited states are afforded from attack by a second FBP molecule, oxygen, or other reagents. The multiexponential fitting of these decays can be satisfactorily correlated with the distribution of the drug among the two binding sites and its presence as the noncomplexed form in the bulk solution. This assignment has been confirmed by using (S)-ibuprofen or capric acid as selective site II replacement probes. Triplet lifetimes and site occupancy are sensitive to the type of serum albumin employed (human versus bovine). Finally, the binding behaviour of (S)- and (R)-FBP exhibits little stereoselectivity.

Classification of the Binding Modes in Bovine Serum Albumin Using Terminally Substituted Alkane Analogues

With the fluorescence probe of 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS), the binding modes of terminally substituted alkane analogues (C(n)X; X = COOH, OH, CHO, NH(3), CONH(2)) to bovine serum albumin (BSA) were investigated using a competitive binding technique. The Scatchard plot of the fluorometric titration of BSA with ANS showed that the maximum binding number of ANS, n(max), was 3.81, with the binding constant, K(bnd), of 1.42 x 10(6) mol(-1) dm(3). The binding modes of C(n)X to BSA were analyzed based on the fluorometric titration of the ANS and BSA mixture with C(n)X. C(n)COOH completely displaced the ANS bound to BSA, whereas C(n)OH and C(n)CHO displaced only about 40% of the ANS bound to BSA. In contrast, C(n)NH(2) and C(n)CONH(2) displaced very little bound ANS. By comparing these results, we classified the binding modes of C(n)X to BSA into three types. Two of them are detectable with the ANS fluorescence and the remaining one is not detectable with the fluorescence.

In vitro study on fluoxetine adsorption onto charcoal using potentiometry

This in vitro investigation was performed to study the adsorption rate constant as well as the adsorption characteristics of fluoxetine (F) to activated charcoal and its commercial formulation Carbomix powder in simulated gastric (pH 1.2) fluid environment. Ion-selective electrode (ISE) potentiometry, based on the selective, direct and continuous monitoring of F with an F-ISE constructed in our laboratory was used. The method used in the kinetic experiments consists of the rapid addition of a slurry containing the charcoal into the drug solution under stirring and continuous recording of the F-ISE potential until the establishment of equilibrium. The free ionized drug concentration at appropriate time intervals was calculated from the recorded adsorption curve and the apparent adsorption rate constant was estimated assuming pseudo first order kinetics. Within run R.S.D. of the estimates ranged from 0.24 to 11.5%, while between run R.S.D. (n=3-4) ranged from 0.90 to 13.8%. A linear relationship was found between the apparent adsorption rate constants and the amount of charcoal used with slopes (+/-S.D.) for activated charcoal and Carbomix equal to 1.14(+/-0.21) and 0.146(+/-0.009) s(-1)g(-1), respectively. Successive additions of microvolumes of F solution were made into a charcoal slurry with measurement of the F-ISE potential at equilibrium. The maximum adsorption capacity values (+/-S.D.) of activated charcoal and Carbomix were 254.8+/-1.8 and 405+/-41 mg/g, respectively while the affinity constant values (+/-S.D.) were 45.6+/-2.2 and 55.5+/-2.9 l/g, respectively. The adsorption of F to charcoals was rapid and for amounts of charcoal 10 times greater than the amount of the drug, 95% of F was adsorbed within the first 5 min. Relative to the toxic and lethal doses in cases of F intoxications, both types of charcoals tested adsorbed effectively F at gastric pH. Carbomix can be considered as appropriate charcoal formulation for medical treatment in cases of F poisoning.

A displacement approach for competitive drug-protein binding studies using the potentiometric 1-anilino-8-naphthalene-sulfonate probe technique

A displacement approach for competitive binding studies was developed. The method utilizes the potentiometric 1-anilino-8-naphthalene-sulfonate (ANS) probe technique and is applied to the binding study of several non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSADs) to bovine serum albumin (BSA). A home-made ANS electrode was used to monitor the displaced free ANS probe from its binding sites on the protein molecule by the stepwise addition of the studied drug. To assess and compare quantitatively the displacing ability of the various drugs, the 'ANS Displacement Index' is used. The possible interference of 19 ionizable drugs (NSADs, sulfonamides, etc.) to the ANS selective electrode at pH 7.4 was studied and their potentiometric selectivity coefficients (K(pot)(ANS,D)) were determined. Correction procedures for the determination of the free ANS concentration are proposed in the case of interfering ionic drugs. A blank binding experiment in conjunction with the incorporation of K(pot)(ANS,D) values in the 'general competitive site oriented model' allows one to derive estimates for the drug binding parameters, i.e. the number of binding sites and association constants.

Automated flow injection gradient technique for binding studies of micromolecules to proteins using potentiometric sensors: application to bovine serum albumin with anilinonaphthalenesulfonate probe and drugs

An automated flow injection (FI) gradient technique is described for the binding study of the potentiometric probe 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS) to bovine serum albumin (BSA). Using a single-channel FI system with a mixing chamber and a flow ANS electrode, the binding parameters (binding constant and number of binding sites) were calculated using the Scatchard model. The concentration gradient was calibrated by injecting ANS in the stream, and the binding experiment was performed by injecting ANS-BSA solution in the carrier solution of equal albumin concentration. The equations describing the concentration gradient and the corresponding electrode potential curve are presented. A systematic study of the factors affecting the complexation equilibrium and the electrode response was performed. For the ANS binding to BSA, two binding classes were determined with binding constants of (2.1 +/- 0.3) x 10(5) and (3.3 +/- 0.8) x 10(3) M-1 and 3.8 +/- 0.6 and 10 +/- 2 binding sites per class, respectively, at 27 +/- 1 degrees C, in 0.10 M phosphate pH 7.4. Competitive binding experiments of sulfamethoxazole, salicylate, azapropazone, ketoprofen, and tolmetin to albumin were also performed by monitoring ANS binding inhibition (decrease of apparent binding constant). This technique takes advantage of FI gradients and direct potentiometry and utilizes the total information contained in FI peaks, providing fast and accurate binding information in a wide range of concentration ratios.

The effect of polyethylene glycol on the charcoal adsorption of chlorpromazine studied by ion selective electrode potentiometry

BACKGROUND

This investigation was undertaken to study: a) the adsorption characteristics of chlorpromazine to activated charcoal and its formulations Carbomix powder and Ultracarbon tablets at gastric pH; b) the effect on chlorpromazine adsorption of polyethylene glycol and its combination with electrolyte lavage solution; c) the effect of the order of addition of polyethylene glycol-electrolyte lavage solution.

METHOD

Ion selective electrode potentiometry, based on the selective, direct and continuous response of a chlorpromazine-ion selective electrode to the concentration of the free drug, was used. Successive additions of microvolumes of a chlorpromazine solution were made into a charcoal slurry in acidic medium of pH 1.2 with measurement of the chlorpromazine-ion selective electrode potential at equilibrium.

RESULTS

The maximum adsorption capacity values of activated charcoal, Carbomix and Ultracarbon, were 297, 563, and 382 mg/g respectively, while the affinity constant values were 40.2, 70.4, and 40.5 L/g, respectively. The adsorption of chlorpromazine to each of the Ultracarbon and Carbomix components was compared to the total adsorption of the formulations. The addition of polyethylene glycol-electrolyte lavage solution causes a slight desorption of chlorpromazine from activated charcoal at gastric pH, more pronounced when polyethylene glycol-electrolyte lavage solution follows the addition of activated charcoal, suggesting the possibility of a nonspecific binding of chlorpromazine to polyethylene glycol. The amount of chlorpromazine absorbed to Carbomix and Ultracarbon was not significantly affected at gastric pH by the presence of polyethylene glycol or polyethylene glycol-electrolyte lavage solution added either concurrently or sequentially to these formulations.

General treatment of competitive binding as applied to the potentiometric ion probe technique: application to the interaction of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with bovine serum albumin

The binding of naproxen, ketoprofen, phenylbutazone, salicylic acid, azapropazone, and indobufen to bovine serum albumin was studied by applying the potentiometric ion probe technique. An ion-selective electrode for the ion probe 1-anilino-8-naphthalene-sulfonate was utilized for the purposes of this study. A modified site-oriented competitive binding model was used for the estimation of the drugs' binding parameters, considering different number of binding sites on the competing binding class(es) for the probe and the drug. Calculations were based exclusively on the concentration data of the free probe. The model's ability for accurate estimations of binding parameters was evaluated by simulation studies. The following values of binding parameters were found at 25 degrees C for the drugs under study; naproxen, n1 = 9.1, k1 = 9.4 x 10(5) M-1; ketoprofen, n1 = 8.8, k1 = 10.8 x 10(5) M-1; phenylbutazone, n1 = 3.2, k1 = 1.4 x 10(5) M-1; salicylic acid, n1 = 2.6, k1 = 1.8 x 10(5) M-1, n2 = 21.5, k2 = 1.0 x 10(4) M-1; azapropazone, n1 = 0.5, k1 = 7.8 x 10(5) M-1, n2 = 26.3, k2 = 1.9 x 10(4) M-1; indobufen, n1 = 5.8, k1 = 5.8 x 10(5) M-1, n2 = 19.9, k2 = 3.8 x 10(5) M-1, where ni the number of binding sites of the i class and ki the corresponding association constant.

Effect of cyclodextrins on protein binding of drugs: the diflunisal/hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin model case

The binding of diflunisal to hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP beta CD), bovine serum albumin (BSA), human serum albumin (HSA), normal human plasma, and mixed solutions of HP beta CD/protein was studied at 25 degrees C, pH 7.4, by potentiometry using an electrode selective to diflunisal. The experimental data for diflunisal/HP beta CD fit well to the 1:1 binding model. The binding of diflunisal with each of the studied proteins was compatible with a model having two independent classes of binding sites. The binding of diflunisal in mixed solutions HP beta CD/BSA, HP beta CD/HSA, and HP beta CD/plasma increased considerably when the HP beta CD concentration was increased. The binding behavior of the two biomolecules in the mixed solutions of HP beta CD/BSA or HP beta CD/HSA was described with an "additive" model formulated on the basis of the estimates of the binding parameters of diflunisal derived from the separate experiments with each one of the binders tested. The lower than theoretical binding observed in HP beta CD/plasma solutions was ascribed to the competitive displacement of diflunisal from the HP beta CD cavity by plasma cholesterol.

Use of 1-anilino-8-napthalenesulphonate as an ion probe for the potentiometric study of the binding of sulphonamides to bovine serum albumin and plasma

The binding of sulphafurazole, sulphamethizole and sulphamethoxazole to bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human plasma has been studied in-vitro by potentiometry using an electrode selective for the ion probe 1-anilino-8-napthalenesulphonate (ANS). The method requires two separate potentiometric titrations of the binder solution with ANS in the absence and in the presence of sulphonamides. ANS displaced sulphonamides from the first-class of binding sites of both binders. The binding constants for sulphonamide-BSA interactions were higher than those for sulphonamide-human plasma. The expansion of the least linear limit of the response curve of the electrode down to 10(-7) M in the presence of BSA was also demonstrated. The reverse reaction, i.e. the displacement of the probe from the binding sites induced by the sulphonamides, was also explored. The proposed method is suitable for studying competitive binding interactions in biological specimens.

Determination of association constants in cyclodextrin/drug complexation using the Scatchard plot: application to beta-cyclodextrin-anilinonaphthalenesulfonates

The appropriate Scatchard equation was developed for a system involving the formation of 1:1 and 1:2 substrate:cyclodextrin complexes. Simulation of this system was performed under the most common experimental conditions encountered in this type of study. The use of the equation allows for nonlinear least-squares estimation of the association constants. The interaction of the model compounds 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonate (1,8-ANS) and 2(p-toluidinyl)-6-naphthalenesulfonate (2,6-TNS) with beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) was used to evaluate the theoretical model. Binding experiments were performed using either potentiometric titration or fluorimetric detection. The experimental data for 1,8-ANS/beta-CD fit well to the 1:1 binding model, with an association constant of 87 +/- 1 M-1. The association constants of the 1:1 and 1:2 2,6-TNS/beta-CD complexes utilizing direct potentiometry were 3737 +/- 6 and 149 +/- 2 M-1. It is shown that fluorimetry can give biased estimates for the association constants of the complexation 2,6-TNS/beta-CD, since the assumption of an equivalent quantum yield of bound species is not valid.

Complexation studies of cyclodextrins with tricyclic antidepressants using ion-selective electrodes

The complexation of six tricyclic antidepressant drugs [amitriptylin (AMN), nortriptylin (NRN), imipramin (IMN), doxepin (DXN), protriptylin (PTN), and maprotilin (MPN)] with alpha- and beta-cyclodextrins (CDs) using ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) as drug ion sensors is described. Binding parameters were calculated by nonlinear fitting of the model described by the Scatchard equation, to the experimental data of a titration of a CD solution with the ion of interest. One binding site (the CD cavity) was found in all cases with both CDs. The calculated association constants at 25 degrees C using CD concentrations in the range of 0.0100-0.0010 M, varied from 4.81 x 10(3) M-1 (MPN) to 23.9 x 10(3) M-1 (AMN) in the case of beta-CD and from 50 M-1 (DXN) to 123 M-1 (MPN) in the case of alpha-CD. The precision for the estimation of the binding parameters was 0.1-5.0% (within-run RSD%) and 8-10% (between-run RSD%; n = 3). The complexation of the drugs with beta-CD was also examined as a function of temperature in the range of 5-37 degrees C; it was found to decrease by increasing temperature. Van't Hoff analysis gave good correlations (r greater than or equal to 0.989) for all drug ions studied. The estimates of the thermodynamic parameters indicate that the formation of inclusion complexes is enthalpy driven. A compensation plot based on the thermodynamic parameters delta H and delta S resulted in a linear relationship, which is indicative of a common type of force involved in the complexation of drugs to beta-CD.