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The binding interaction of Rutin, a flavonoid, with model transport proteins, bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA), were investigated using different spectroscopic techniques, such as fluorescence, time-resolved single photon counting (TCSPC) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy as well as molecular docking method. The emission studies revealed that the fluorescence quenching of BSA/HSA by Rutin occurred through a simultaneous static and dynamic quenching process, and we have evaluated both the quenching constants individually. The binding constants of Rutin-BSA and Rutin-HSA system were found to be 2.14 × 10 6  M -1 and 2.36 × 10 6  M -1 at 298 K respectively, which were quite high. Further, influence of some biologically significant metal ions (Ca 2+ , Zn 2+ and Mg 2+ ) on binding of Rutin to BSA and HSA were also investigated. Thermodynamic parameters justified the involvement of hydrogen bonding and weak van der Waals forces in the interaction of Rutin with both BSA and HSA. Further a site-marker competitive experiment was performed to evaluate Rutin binding site in the albumins. Additionally, the CD spectra of BSA and HSA revealed that the secondary structure of the proteins was perturbed in the presence of Rutin. Finally protein-ligand docking studies have also been performed to determine the probable location of the ligand molecule., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The effect of oscillation induced by a frequency-dependent alternating current (AC) electric field to dissociate preformed amyloid fibrils has been investigated. An electrowetting-on-dielectric type setup has been used to apply the AC field of varying frequencies on preformed fibrils of human serum albumin (HSA). The disintegration potency has been monitored by a combination of spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The experimental results suggest that the frequency of the applied AC field plays a crucial role in the disruption of preformed HSA fibrils. The extent of stress generated inside the droplet due to the application of the AC field at different frequencies has been monitored as a function of the input frequency of the applied AC voltage. This has been accomplished by assessing the morphology deformation of the oscillating HSA fibril droplets. The shape deformation of the oscillating droplets is characterized using image analysis by measuring the dynamic changes in the shape dependent parameters such as contact angle and droplet footprint radius and the amplitude. It is suggested that the cumulative effects of the stress generated inside the HSA fibril droplets due to the shape deformation induced hydrodynamic flows and the torque induced by the intrinsic electric dipoles of protein due to their continuous periodic realignment in presence of the AC electric field results in the destruction of the fibrillar species., (Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Diabetes is a major problem in the world. The proteins became modified during glycation after reacting with the reducing sugars (e.g. D-glucose) via non-enzymatic pathways. The glycated analogue of human serum albumin (HSA) has been characterized with the help of multi-spectroscopic methods. It has been observed that six glucose molecules can bind covalently to HSA under experimental condition. The binding affinity of the modified HSA towards the dietary polyphenols has been estimated using UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopic techniques. The binding constant values of the ligands were found to decrease after the modification of HSA.

The dietary components, flavonoids, are important for their anti-oxidant properties and the ability to act as metal ion chelators. The characterization of the morin-Cu(ii) complex is executed using elemental analysis, FTIR and mass spectroscopy. DNA cleaving and cell cytotoxicity properties followed by serum albumin binding have been investigated in this report. The morin-Cu(ii) complex was found to cleave plasmid pBR322 DNA via an oxidative pathway as revealed by agarose gel based assay performed in the presence of some scavengers and reactive oxygen species. The breaking of the deoxyribose ring of calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) was also confirmed by the formation of thiobarbituric acid reacting species (TBARS) between thiobarbituric acid and malonaldehyde. The morin-Cu(ii) complex is able to inhibit the growth of human HeLa cells. Fluorescence studies revealed that the morin-Cu(ii) complex can quench the intrinsic fluorescence of serum albumins (SAs) via a static quenching method. The binding constants were found to be in the order of 10(5) M(-1) and observed to increase with temperature. Both ΔH° and ΔS° are positive for the binding of the morin-Cu(ii) complex with serum albumins which indicated the presence of hydrophobic forces. Site-selectivity studies reveal that the morin-Cu(ii) complex binds to both site 1 (subdomain IIA) and site 2 (subdomain IIIA) of human serum albumin (HSA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA). Circular dichroism (CD) studies showed the structural perturbation of SAs during binding with the morin-Cu(ii) complex. The results from binding studies confirmed that after complexation with the Cu(ii) ion, morin alters its mode of interaction with SAs which could have differential implications on its other biological and pharmaceutical properties.

Fisetin is a well known flavonoid that shows several properties such as antioxidant, antiviral and anticancer activities. Its use in the pharmaceutical field is limited due to its poor aqueous solubility which results in poor bioavailability and poor permeability. The aim of our present study is to prepare fisetin loaded human serum albumin nanoparticles to improve its bioavailability. The nanoparticles were prepared by a desolvation method and characterized by spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The particles were smooth and spherical in nature with an average size of 220 ± 8 nm. The encapsulation efficiency was found to be 84%. The in vitro release profile showed a biphasic pattern and the release rate increases with increase in ionic strength of solution. We have also confirmed the antioxidant activity of the prepared nanoparticles by a DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay. Further its anticancer activity was evaluated using MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines. Our findings suggest that fisetin loaded HSA nanoparticles could be used to transfer fisetin to target areas under specific conditions and thus may find use as a delivery vehicle for the flavonoid., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Flavonoids are widely used as anti-oxidants, anti-cancer agents and possess metal ion chelation properties. In this report we have investigated the DNA binding (and damaging), cell cytotoxicity and serum albumin (SA) binding efficacy of the rutin-Cu(ii) complex using differential spectroscopic methods. The rutin-Cu(ii) complex was able to intercalate into calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) at lower concentrations and its DNA damaging properties were also confirmed from the agarose gel based assay, fluorescence and UV-vis studies. The copper complex was found to be effective against the growth of HeLa cells in vivo. The binding constants (Kb) of the rutin-Cu(ii) complex towards HSA and BSA were found to be (0.98 ± 0.03) and (1.05 ± 0.02) × 10(5) M(-1), respectively, at 299 K and observed to increase with the increase in temperature. Site selectivity studies revealed that the rutin-Cu(ii) complex binds near site 1 (subdomain IIA) of SAs. Thermodynamic parameters indicated that the mode of interaction of rutin and its copper complex with SAs are different from each other. Both ΔH° and ΔS° were observed to be positive for the interaction of the rutin-Cu(ii) complex with SAs, indicating the presence of hydrophobic association in binding. The values of ΔH° were estimated to be negative (-42.07 ± 2.92 and -23.29 ± 2.33 kJ mol(-1) for HSA and BSA respectively) in the binding of rutin with SAs. It implies that after chelation with Cu(ii) ion, rutin alters its binding mode which could have varying applications to its other physicochemical activities.

During the past several years, studies on the protein aggregation process in the presence of cosolvents/ co-solutes have been looked into which provides significant insight in the stability of proteins in a crowded cellular milieu. Here, in the present report we have investigated the fibrillation of human serum albumin (HSA) under the mixed aqueous-ethanol solvent conditions at two different temperatures (37 °C and 65 °C). Self-association of protein was monitored using various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Results obtained from detailed investigation have shown that fibrillation of human serum albumin is favored at higher temperature (65 °C) at lower ethanol concentration. However, at 37 °C comparatively higher ethanol concentration is the prerequisite condition for fibrillation process to take place.

Pathogenesis of amyloid-related diseases is related to nonnative folding of proteins with the formation of insoluble deposits in the extracellular space of various tissues. Having the unique properties of small size, large surface area, biodegradability, and relative nontoxicity, magnetic nanoparticles have drawn a lot of attention in biomedical applications. Herein, we demonstrate the effect of bare and differently functionalized magnetic MnFe2O4 nanoparticles on fibrillation of human serum albumin in vitro. The process has been monitored using Thioflavin T fluorescence, Congo red binding assay, circular dichroism, fluorescence microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. From our experimental results, amine functionalized MnFe2O4 nanoparticles are found to inhibit formation of fibrils more effectively than bare ones, while carboxylated nanoparticles do not have a significant effect on fibrillation. This study has explored the prospects of using specific magnetic nanoparticles with appropriate modification to control self-assembly of proteins and may act as a precursor in therapeutic applications.

Human serum albumin (HSA), the most abundant plasma protein in the human body is known to form fibrils under partial denaturing conditions. Natural polyphenols are known to interact with HSA and some polyphenols have been shown to be potent inhibitors of amyloid fibrillation. (-)-Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the major component of green tea is known to inhibit amyloid fibrillation. In this report, we have investigated the effect of EGCG on native HSA as well as on the fibrillation process of HSA from amide III band analysis of their respective visible Raman spectra. The differential role of the tryptophan (Trp214) residue present in domain II of HSA in the absence and presence of EGCG has been pointed out using fluorescence anisotropy and visible Raman spectroscopy., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Protein aggregation is related to a series of pathological disorders the main cause of which are the fibrillar species generated during the process. Human serum albumin (HSA) undergoes rapid fibrillation in the presence of Cu(II) at pH 7.4 in 60% ethanol after 6-h incubation (∼65 °C) followed by room temperature incubation. Here, we have investigated the effect of a stoichiometric variation of Cu(II) on the self-assembly of HSA using Congo red and thioflavin T dye-binding studies, circular dichroism spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, fluorescence microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The simulation of EPR spectra suggests that with the increment in Cu(II) ion concentration, there is a change in ligand field coordination. Kinetic parameters indicate reduced cooperativity that may be related to the nonspecific coordination on increment of Cu(II) concentration. Cu(II) is also able to direct the accumulation of a large number of fibers along with a formation of dense fibrillar network which is evident from microscopic images.

Knowing the distribution of Ramachandran angles helps in understanding peptide and protein backbone conformation. Empirical relations are proposed to correlate the spectral profile of the amide III3 band, obtained from ultraviolet resonance Raman measurements (UVRR), with the Ramachandran dihedral psi angle distribution in small peptide and protein molecules, in different environmental conditions (Mikhonin et al. J. Phys. Chem. B 2006, 110, 1928-1943). It has also been used for more complicated structures, like large globular proteins and protein fibrils. In our work here, we use visible Raman spectra and available empirical relations to obtain similar correlations for human serum albumin, hen egg white lysozyme, and human gamma crystallin. We also report the dihedral angle distribution in fibrils and a denatured protein in an ethanol environment using the same spectroscopic technique.

Green tea is rich in several polyphenols, such as (-)-epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG), (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC), and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). The biological importance of these polyphenols led us to study the major polyphenol EGCG with human serum albumin (HSA) in an earlier study. In this report, we have compared the binding of ECG, EGC, and EGCG and the Cu(II) complexes of EGCG and ECG with HSA. We observe that the gallate moiety of the polyphenols plays a crucial role in determining the mode of interaction with HSA. The binding constants obtained for the different systems are 5.86 ± 0.72 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ (K ECG-HSA), 4.22 ± 0.15 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ (K ECG-Cu(II)-HSA), and 9.51 ± 0.31 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ (K EGCG-Cu(II)-HSA) at 293 K. Thermodynamic parameters thus obtained suggest that apart from an initial hydrophobic association, van der Waals interactions and hydrogen bonding are the major interactions which held together the polyphenols and HSA. However, thermodynamic parameters obtained from the interactions of the copper complexes with HSA are indicative of the involvement of the hydrophobic forces. Circular dichroism and the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic measurements reveal changes in α-helical content of HSA after binding with the ligands. Data obtained by fluorescence spectroscopy, displacement experiments along with the docking studies suggested that the ligands bind to the residues located in site 1 (subdomains IIA), whereas EGC, that lacks the gallate moiety, binds to the other hydrophobic site 2 (subdomain IIIA) of the protein.

The endogenous deposition of protein aggregates with fibrillar morphology is known to govern the genesis of several neurodisorders. The investigation of naturally occurring small molecules which can restrict the fibrillation process can help in the design of rational therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases. We report the inhibition of HSA fibrillation in the presence of naturally occurring sugars such as glucose, fructose, ribose and sucrose with fructose being the most potent. We have characterized the inhibitory potency of the sugars, using different spectroscopic and microscopic techniques., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The central reason behind pathogenesis of various neurological disorders is usually attributed to the accumulation of aggregated proteins particularly in fibrillar morphology in vivo. One of the plausible remedial treatments for such disorders may be to identify molecules which are capable of either preventing formation of fibrils or disintegrating formed fibrils. The effect of cationic surfactants cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), dodecyl trimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) and the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in vitro toward mature HSA fibrils has been investigated. The process has been monitored using ThT fluorescence, FTIR, circular dichroism, fluorescence microscopy and HRTEM. It was observed that the micelles of cationic surfactants were able to effectively disrupt the HSA fibrils, among which CTAB was found to be the most potent., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A comparative study of the interaction of an antibiotic Tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) with two albumins, Human serum albumin (HSA) and Bovine serum albumin (BSA) along with Escherichia Coli Alkaline Phosphatase (AP) has been presented exploiting the enhanced emission and anisotropy of the bound drug. The association constant at 298 K is found to be two orders of magnitude lower in BSA/HSA compared to that in AP with number of binding site being one in each case. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and molecular docking studies have been employed for the systems containing HSA and BSA to find out the particular tryptophan (Trp) residue and the other residues in the proteins involved in the binding process. Rotational correlation time (θc) of the bound TC obtained from time resolved anisotropy of TC in all the protein-TC complexes has been compared to understand the binding mechanism. Low temperature (77 K) phosphorescence (LTP) spectra of Trp residues in the free proteins (HSA/BSA) and in the complexes of HSA/BSA have been used to specify the role of Trp residues in FRET and in the binding process. The results have been compared with those obtained for the complex of AP with TC. The photophysical behaviour (viz., emission maximum, quantum yield, lifetime and θc) of TC in various protic and aprotic polar solvents has been determined to address the nature of the microenvironment of TC in the protein-drug complexes.

The binding of fisetin with human serum albumin (HSA) has been studied at different pH using UV-Vis, FTIR, CD and fluorescence spectroscopic techniques. The binding constants were found to increase with the rise in pH of the media. The negative ΔH° (kJ mol-1) and positive ΔS° (J mol-1 K-1) indicate that fisetin binds to HSA via electrostatic interactions with an initial hydrophobic association that result in a positive ΔS° . In presence of potassium chloride (KCl) the binding constants were found to be decrease. The α-helical content of HSA increased after binding with fisetin as analyzed from both CD and FTIR methods. The site marker displacement studies using fluorescence anisotropy suggest that fisetin binds to the hydrophobic pocket (Site 1, subdomain IIA) of HSA which is in good accordance with the molecular docking study. The change in accessible surface area (ASA) of residues of HSA was calculated to get a better insight into the binding.

Phorate, an organophosphorus insecticide is known for its adverse effects on acetylcholinesterase, and other neuronal and pulmonary activities. Most likely, the toxicity of drugs/agrochemicals is modulated through cellular distribution bound to plasma proteins. Therefore, the in vitro interaction of phorate with human serum albumin (HSA) has been investigated, using sensitive techniques like fluorescence spectroscopy and circular dichroism, to ascertain its binding mechanism and toxicological implications. Fluorescence studies revealed the quenching constant (Ksv) as 2.5 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ and binding affinity (Ka) as 2.96 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ (r² = 0.99), with a primary binding site of phorate at sub-domain IIA of HSA. Circular dichroism (CD) data demonstrated a noticeable reduction in secondary structure (α-helical content) of phorate treated HSA. Albumin treated with 200-1000 μM phorate released significant amounts of acid soluble amino and carbonyl groups, whereas higher concentrations resulted in protein fragmentation. It is postulated that the 1'-O and 3-O alkyl groups of phorate have a role in binding with electrophilic centers of Trp 214, and Arg 218/Lys 195, respectively. Moreover, the significant ultrastructural changes, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, mitochondrial damage and cell death in phorate treated cultured human amnion epithelial (WISH) cells, elucidated phorate induced cellular toxicity., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Conventional spectroscopic tools such as absorption, fluorescence, and circular dichroism spectroscopy used in the study of photoinduced drug-protein interactions can yield useful information about ground-state and excited-state phenomena. However, photoinduced electron transfer (PET) may be a possible phenomenon in the drug-protein interaction, which may go unnoticed if only conventional spectroscopic observations are taken into account. Laser flash photolysis coupled with an external magnetic field can be utilized to confirm the occurrence of PET and authenticate the spin states of the radicals/radical ions formed. In the study of interaction of the model protein human serum albumin (HSA) with acridine derivatives, acridine yellow (AY) and proflavin (PF(+)), conventional spectroscopic tools along with docking study have been used to decipher the binding mechanism, and laser flash photolysis technique with an associated magnetic field (MF) has been used to explore PET. The results of fluorescence study indicate that fluorescence resonance energy transfer takes place from the protein to the acridine-based drugs. Docking study unveils the crucial role of Ser 232 residue of HSA in explaining the differential behavior of the two drugs towards the model protein. Laser flash photolysis experiments help to identify the radicals/radical ions formed in the due course of PET (PF(•), AY(•-), TrpH(•+), Trp(•)), and the application of an external MF has been used to characterize their initial spin-state. Owing to its distance dependence, MF effect gives an idea about the proximity of the radicals/radical ions during interaction in the system and also helps to elucidate the reaction mechanisms. A prominent MF effect is observed in homogeneous buffer medium owing to the pseudoconfinement of the radicals/radical ions provided by the complex structure of the protein.

The aggregation process in proteins is governed by several factors such as temperature, pH, presence of electrolytes, denaturants, and metal ions. Here, we report the role of Cu(II) in inducing rapid fibrillation in human serum albumin. We have monitored this process via UV-vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism, zeta-potential measurements, electron paramagnetic resonance studies, fluorescence microscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Images show a fibrillar network of human serum albumin in the presence of Cu(II) in 60% ethanol incubated at 65 degrees C at physiological pH. All other studies also support the enhanced fibrillation in presence of Cu(II).

Curcumin is a nontoxic natural product with diverse pharmacological potencies. We report the interaction of a potent synthetic derivative of curcumin, isoxazolcurcumin (IOC) with human serum albumin (HSA) using various biophysical methods. The observed fluorescence quenching of HSA by IOC is due to a complex formation by a static quenching process with a quenching constant of the order of 10(5) M(-1). The binding affinity and the number of binding sites were obtained from a Scatchard analysis. Thermodynamics reveals that the interaction is entropy driven with predominantly hydrophobic forces. From the observed Förster-type fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), the donor (Trp 214 in HSA) to acceptor (IOC) distance is calculated to be 3.2 nm. The conformational changes of HSA due to the interaction were investigated qualitatively from synchronous fluorescence spectra along with a quantitative estimation of the secondary structure from Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopies. Molecular docking studies were performed to obtain information on the possible residues involved in the interaction process, and changes in accessible surface area of the interacting residues were calculated. The preferred binding site of IOC was analyzed by ligand displacement experiments with 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS) and warfarin-bound HSA., (2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

The steady-state and time-resolved studies of the sensitized emission of the excited-state proton transfer (ESIPT) probe 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (3HNA) when bound to bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA) indicate that the nonradiative dipole-dipole Förster type energy transfer from Trp singlet state of proteins to the ESIPT singlet state of 3HNA is greater in the case of HSA. This is supported by the distance and the orientation of the donor-acceptor pair obtained from the protein-ligand docking studies. The docking studies of the complex of BSA-3HNA also indicate that Trp 134 rather than Trp 213 is involved in the energy transfer process. The local environment of Trp 134 in BSA rather than that of Trp 213 is perturbed because of interaction with 3HNA as revealed by the optical resolution of Trp 134 phosphorescence in the complex at 77 K. Docking studies support the larger rotational correlation time, thetac (approximately 50 ns), observed for Trp residue/residues in the complexes of HSA and BSA compared with that in the free proteins.

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the major constituent of green tea has been reported to prevent many diseases by virtue of its antioxidant properties. The binding of EGCG with human serum albumin (HSA) has been investigated for the first time by using fluorescence, circular dichroism (CD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and protein-ligand docking. We observed a quenching of fluorescence of HSA in the presence of EGCG. The binding parameters were determined by a Scatchard plot and the results were found to be consistent with those obtained from a modified Stern-Volmer equation. From the thermodynamic parameters calculated according to the van't Hoff equation, the enthalpy change deltaH degrees and entropy change deltaS degrees were found to be -22.59 and 16.23 J/mol K, respectively. These values suggest that apart from an initial hydrophobic association, the complex is held together by van der Waals interactions and hydrogen bonding. Data obtained by fluorescence spectroscopy, CD, and FTIR experiments along with the docking studies suggest that EGCG binds to residues located in subdomains IIa and IIIa of HSA. Specific interactions are observed with residues Trp 214, Arg 218, Gln 221, Asn 295 and Asp 451. We have also looked at changes in the accessible surface area of the interacting residues on binding EGCG for a better understanding of the interaction., (Copyright 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

All-trans retinoic acid derived from vitamin A is an essential component for the modulation of angiogenesis, the process of blood vessel formation. We have investigated the binding of all-trans retinoic acid to the carrier protein, human serum albumin (HSA) under physiological conditions. Fluorescence quenching methods in combination with Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy were used for the biophysical studies. The binding parameters were determined by a Scatchard plot and the results found to be consistent with those obtained from a modified Stern-Volmer equation. From the thermodynamic parameters calculated according to the van't Hoff equation, the enthalpy change DeltaH(0) and entropy change DeltaS(0) are found to be 106.17 and 106.14J/molK, respectively. These values suggest that apart from hydrophobic interactions electrostatic interactions are present. Changes in the CD spectra and FT-IR spectra were observed upon ligand binding along with a significant degree of tryptophan fluorescence quenching on complex formation. Docking studies performed substantiated our experimental findings and it was observed that all-trans retinoic acid hydrogen bonded with Trp 214 and Asp 451 residues of subdomain IIA and IIIA of HSA, respectively.

The formation of specific patterns during evaporation of biofluids e.g. blood, serum etc. can be analyzed for quick identification of several diseases. Human Serum Albumin (HSA) is frequently used as the model protein to study amyloid fibril formation that is responsible for numerous neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease etc. In the present study the fibril growth of HSA is characterized by analyzing the drying patterns of the protein solution. The fibril formation of HSA is confirmed by spectrofluorimetry and the β-sheet content is quantified by far-UV Circular Dichroism spectrometry. Examinations of the drying patterns of HSA, in presence of fluorescent nanoparticles, reveals distinctive pattern transformations with increase in the β-sheet content visualized through fluorescence microscopy and FESEM. The fluorescence images of the dried droplet are analyzed using image processing by the color thresholding method. A rapid quantification methodology of the β-sheet content of HSA and the fraction of unfolded protein has been developed by comparing the results of the image analysis with those of the far-UV CD data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steady state fluorescence and time resolved fluorescence studies at 298 K and low temperature phosphorescence (LTP) studies at 77 K of the interaction of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA) with ligand 4-azido-2H-chromen-2-one or 4-azidocoumarin (4-AC) have been carried out to visualize the location of the binding site and perturbation of the binding site of the tryptophan (Trp)/tyrosine (Tyr) of the protein(s) by monitoring the emission maxima of Trp residue(s) in proteins. The fluorescence quenching study of Trp estimated that the binding constant for both protein–ligand complexes is in the order of ∼106 with binding site 1. Perturbation in the secondary structures of serum albumins due to binding of 4-AC is also observed from circular dichroism (CD) studies. An energy transfer (ET) study further demonstrated that the non-radiative singlet–singlet ET that takes place from the Trp singlet states of proteins to the singlet state of ligands is greater in the case of BSA. This is supported by the distance and orientation of the donor–acceptor pair obtained from molecular docking studies. The molecular docking studies were also fruitfully exploited to understand the involvement of Trp213 in BSA and Trp214 in HSA in the ET process along with the perturbation of the residues around 5 Å from the ligand 4-AC. Phosphorescence spectra at 77 K of the Trp residues in the free proteins (BSA/HSA) and in the complexes of BSA/HSA have also been utilized to specify the role of Trp residues in ET and the binding process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interaction of baicalein with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated with the help of spectroscopic and molecular docking studies. The binding affinity of baicalein towards BSA was estimated to be in order of 10 5 M −1 from fluorescence quenching studies. Negative Δ H ° (−5.66±0.14 kJ/mol) and positive (Δ S °) (+79.96±0.65 J/mol K) indicate the presence of electrostatic interactions along with the hydrophobic forces that result in a positive Δ S °. The hydrophobic association of baicalein with BSA diminishes in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) due to probable hydrophobic association of baicalein with SDS, resulting in a negative Δ S ° (−40.65±0.87 J/mol K). Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization/time of flight (MALDI--TOF) experiments indicate a 1:1 complexation between baicalein and BSA. The unfolding and refolding phenomena of BSA were investigated in the absence and presence of baicalein using steady-state and fluorescence lifetime measurements. It was observed that the presence of urea ruptured the non-covalent interaction between baicalein and BSA. The presence of metal ions (Ag + , Mg 2+ , Ni 2+ , Mn 2+ , Co 2+ and Zn 2+ ) increased the binding affinity of ligand towards BSA. The changes in conformational aspects of BSA after ligand binding were also investigated using circular dichroism (CD) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic techniques. Site selectivity studies following molecular docking analyses indicated the binding of baicalein to site 1 (subdomain IIA) of BSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein self-association leads to toxic filamentous plaques believed to be the key reason behind several neurodegenerative diseases. Stabilization of the fibrillar architecture is guided by several forces; primarily electrostatic, hydrophobic, and the extent of hydrogen bonding. In this study, we experimentally demonstrate, for the first time, the effect of varying static electric fields on preformed fibrils of human serum albumin (HSA) in an electrowetting on dielectric type setup using spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. We have found appreciable and continuous reduction in the β-sheet content of HSA fibrils up to an applied field of ∼8 × 106 V m−1. The observed disruption of the fibrils has been attributed to the combined effects of electrostatic interactions and electrowetting phenomena. Kinetic studies indicate a prior intermediate formation followed by disruption of HSA fibrils after application of the electric field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] A complex of BSA with unsaturated fatty acid, Oleic Acid (OA) is explored. [•] Interaction of a probe 3HNA with OA bound serum albumins have been investigated. [•] Location and binding of 3HNA in OA-serum albumin complexes have been characterised. [•] Dramatic change in 3HNA binding site to OA bound BSA than in free BSA have been confirmed by proper modeling study. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The interaction of bovine serum albumin (BSA) with isoxazolcurcumin (IOC) and diacetylcurcumin (DAC) has been investigated. Binding constants obtained were found to be in the 105 M−1 range. Minor conformational changes of BSA were observed from circular dichroism (CD) and Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) studies on binding. Based on Förster''s theory of non-radiation energy transfer, the average binding distance, r between the donor (BSA) and acceptors IOC and DAC was found to be 3.79 and 4.27 nm respectively. Molecular docking of isoxazolcurcumin and diacetylcurcumin with bovine serum albumin indicated that they docked close to Trp 213, which is within the hydrophobic subdomain. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The formation and deposition of amyloid fibrils have been linked to the pathogenesis of numerous debilitating neurodegenerative disorders. Serum albumins serve as good model proteins for understanding the molecular mechanisms of protein aggregation and fibril formation. Graphene-based nanotherapeutics appear to be promising candidates for designing inhibitors of protein fibrillation. The inhibitory effect of graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles on the fibrillation of human serum albumin (HSA) in an in vitro mixed solvent system has been investigated. The methods used include ThT fluorescence, ANS binding, Trp fluorescence, circular dichroism, fluorescence microscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. It was observed that GO inhibits HSA fibrillation and forms agglomerates with β-sheet rich prefibrillar species. Binding of GO prevents the formation of mature fibrils with characteristic cross-β sheet but does not promote refolding to the native state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In consideration of the various medicinal aspects of the flavonoid polyphenols, the interaction of morin with bovine serum albumin (BSA) has been investigated using multi-spectroscopic approaches. The pKa 1 of morin being 5.09, which is below physiological pH, binding studies provide important insights into its potential use as a biotherapeutic. The binding was performed under different pH (5, 7 and 9) conditions and in absence and presence of Cu(II) and Fe(III) ions. It is observed that the presence of metal ions affect the binding of morin towards BSA. The binding with BSA results in a motional restriction of morin in solution that causes an increase in anisotropy (r), rotational correlation time (t r ) and steady-state lifetime (t av ) of the ligand. Urea causes denaturation of BSA resulting in the release of morin from the protein core as determined from both the steady-state fluorescence and anisotropy (r) measurements. The possibility of non-radiative energy transfer from the donor tryptophan to the acceptor morin is detected following the Förster's theory. The site marker displacement studies along with the molecular docking results indicated that morin binds to the hydrophobic pocket of site 1 (subdomain IIA) near Trp 213 of BSA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The interaction of genistein with bovine serum albumin (BSA) has been characterized via UV–vis, fluorescence spectroscopy and Circular Dichroism (CD) measurements under physiological conditions. In this study, we have investigated the effect of some common metal ions on the binding of genistein with BSA using fluorescence studies. The fluorescence data reveal that the binding affinity of genistein to BSA increases in presence of certain metal ions. The possibility of non-radiative energy transition from the donor tryptophan to the acceptor genistein has been observed in absence and presence of metal ions. The observed similarities in the values of efficiency of energy transfer (E) and the separation between the donor and acceptor (r) in both the cases may be correlated with the complexation between the genistein and metal ions, which is also observed from the UV–vis studies. The changes in enthalpy (ΔH°) and entropy (ΔS°) of the interaction were found to be −14.64kJmol−1 and +42.75Jmol−1 K−1 respectively. These values indicate the involvement of electrostatic interactions along with a hydrophobic association that results in a positive entropy change. CD analysis shows that there is a slight increase in the% α-helical content of BSA on binding with genistein at lower molar ratios. Warfarin and ibuprofen displacement studies in accordance with the molecular docking show that genistein binds to site I (subdomain IIA) of BSA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Polyphenols find wide use as antioxidants, cancer chemopreventive agents and metal chelators. The latter activity has proved interesting in many aspects. We have probed the binding characteristics of the polyphenol quercetin–Cu(II) complex with human serum albumin (HSA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA). Fluorescence studies reveal that the quercetin–Cu(II) complex can quench the fluorescence of the serum albumins. The binding constant (K b ) values are of the order of 105 M−1 which increased with rise in temperature in case of HSA and BSA interacting with the quercetin–Cu(II) complex. Displacement studies reveal that both the ligands bind to site 1 (subdomain IIA) of the serum albumins. However, thermodynamic parameters calculated from temperature dependent studies indicated that the mode of interaction of the complexes with the proteins differs. Both ΔH° and ΔS° were positive for the interaction of the quercetin–Cu(II) complex with both proteins but the value of ΔH° was negative in case of the interaction of quercetin with the proteins. This implies that after chelation with metal ions, the polyphenol alters its mode of interaction which could have varying implications on its other physicochemical activities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The interactions of two stereoisomeric antioxidant flavonoids, catechin (C) and epicatechin (EC) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA), have been investigated by steady state and time resolved fluorescence, phosphorescence, circular dichroism (CD), FTIR and protein–ligand docking studies. The steady-state fluorescence studies indicate a single binding site for both the ligands. FTIR spectra suggest that in both the albumins, C and EC stabilize the α-helix at the cost of a corresponding loss in the β-sheet structure. CD studies have been carried out using (±)C, and both the epimers (+)C and (−)C. The low temperature phosphorescence and protein–ligand [(+), (−) and (±) forms of C and EC] docking studies indicate that the ligands bind in the proximity of Trp 134 of BSA and Trp 214 of HSA, thereby changing their solvent accessible surface areas (ASA). Asn 158 and Glu 130 side chains are found to be within the hydrogen bonding distance from the phenolic –OH groups of C and EC in the case of BSA complex. C and EC are located within the binding pocket of sub-domain IIa of HSA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The enhanced fluorescence and anisotropy of the ESIPT emission of 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (3HNA) in the complexes of 3HNA with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA) showed the formation of 1:1 complex [binding constant=5.3×105 M−1 for BSA and =2.2×105 M−1 for HSA]. The ESIPT emission of the probe in non-polar, polar protic, polar aprotic and mixed solvents indicate that the position and the quantum yield of the emission are governed by the intermolecular hydrogen bonding ability and the polarity/polarizability of the solvents. Rotational correlation time of 3HNA (2.4ns and 5.2ns in BSA and HSA, respectively) obtained from the time resolved anisotropy decay of the ESIPT emission suggests motional restriction of the probe. Docking studies reveal H-bonding of some residues with the probe and loss of accessible surface area of several residues located near binding site. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Silibinin is a well-known naturally occurring compound used for the treatment of a wide range of hepatitic diseases. In this study, we report the binding of silibinin to the carrier protein, human serum albumin (HSA) under physiological conditions. UV–Vis and fluorescence quenching methods in combination with Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy have been used to study the nature and mode of binding. The binding parameters were determined from tryptophan fluorescence quenching by a Scatchard plot and the results were found to be consistent with those obtained from a modified Stern–Volmer equation. The association constant is of the order of 105. The change in enthalpy (ΔH°) and entropy (ΔS°) due to the interaction were found to be −6.76kJmol−1 and 73.69Jmol−1 K−1, respectively. These values suggest that apart from an initial hydrophobic association, electrostatic interactions play a decisive role during complexation of silibinin with HSA. Observations from FT-IR and CD spectra upon ligand binding indicate changes in the secondary structure of HSA. Docking studies that corroborate our experimental results reveal that the silibinin molecule lies within hydrogen bonding distance of Trp 214 and Asp 451 residues of subdomains IIa and IIIa of HSA, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]