Abstract
In the present investigation, we have systematically studied the binding mechanism of model protein human serum albumin (HSA) with gold/silver alloy nanoparticles (Au/Ag NPs) using multiple spectroscopic techniques. Absorption spectral studies of Au/Ag NPs in the presence of increasing concentrations of HSA resulted in a slight red shift of the surface plasmon resonance band (SPR) of Au/Ag NPs, suggesting changes in the refractive index around the nanoparticle surface owing to the adsorption of HSA. The results from high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and zeta potential analysis substantiated the formation of a dense layer of HSA on the surface of Au/Ag NPs. The formation of a ground-state complex between HSA and Au/Ag NPs was evident from the outcome of the steady-state emission titration experiments of the HSA-Au/Ag NPs system. The binding parameters computed from corrected emission quenching data revealed that HSA exhibited a significant binding affinity toward Au/Ag NPs. The identical fluorescence lifetime values of HSA and HSA-Au/Ag NPs from time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopic analysis further authenticated the findings of steady-state emission measurements. The formation of HSA corona on the Au/Ag NPs surface was established on the basis of experimental quenching data and theoretical values. The occurrence of partial unfolding of HSA upon its interaction with the Au/Ag NPs surface was established by using an extrinsic fluorophore 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonic acid (ANS). Absorption, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), Raman, circular dichroism (CD), and excitation-emission matrix (3D) spectral studies were also carried out to explore Au/Ag NPs-induced tertiary and secondary conformational changes of HSA. The influence of Au/Ag NPs on the esterase-like activity of HSA was established by probing the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl acetate.
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