Exploring the site-selective binding of jatrorrhizine to human serum albumin: Spectroscopic and molecular modeling approaches

Abstract

This paper exploring the site-selective binding of jatrorrhizine to human serum albumin (HSA) under physiological conditions (pH=7.4). The investigation was carried out using fluorescence spectroscopy, UV–vis spectroscopy, and molecular modeling. The results of fluorescence quenching and UV–vis absorption spectra experiments indicated the formation of the complex of HSA–jatrorrhizine. Binding parameters calculating from Stern–Volmer method and Scatchard method were calculated at 298, 304 and 310K, with the corresponding thermodynamic parameters ΔG, ΔH and ΔS as well. Binding parameters calculating from Stern–Volmer method and Scatchard method showed that jatrorrhizine bind to HSA with the binding affinities of the order 104Lmol−1. The thermodynamic parameters studies revealed that the binding was characterized by negative enthalpy and positive entropy changes and the electrostatic interactions play a major role for jatrorrhizine–HSA association. Site marker competitive displacement experiments and molecular modeling calculation demonstrating that jatrorrhizine is mainly located within the hydrophobic pocket of the subdomain IIIA of HSA. Furthermore, the synchronous fluorescence spectra suggested that the association between jatrorrhizine and HSA changed molecular conformation of HSA.