Denaturation Of Human Serum Albumin Research Articles

Interactions of human serum albumin with phosphate and Tris buffers: impact on paclitaxel binding and nanoparticles self-assembly

Aim To investigate the conformational changes in human serum albumin (HSA) caused by chemical (CD) and thermal denaturation (TD) at pH 7.4 and 9.9, crucial for designing controlled drug delivery systems with paclitaxel (PTX). Methods Experimental and computational methods, including differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), UV-Vis and intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy, mean diameter, polydispersity index (PDI), ζ-potential, encapsulation efficiency (EE), in vitro release and protein docking studies were conducted to study the HSA denaturation and nanoparticles (NPs) preparation. Results TD at pH 7.4 produced smaller NPs (287.1 ± 12.9 nm) than CD at pH 7.4 with NPs (584.2 ± 47.7 nm). TD at pH 9.9 exhibited high EE (97.3 ± 0.2%w/w) with rapid PTX release (50% within 1h), whereas at pH 7.4 (96.4 ± 2.1%w/w), release only 40%. ζ-potentials were around −30 mV. Conclusion Buffer type and pH significantly influence NP properties. TD in PBS at pH 7.4, provided optimal conditions for a stable and efficient drug delivery system.

Effect of maleylation and denaturation of human serum albumin on its interaction with scavenger receptors.

The specific recognition of serum proteins by scavenger receptors is critical and fundamental in many biological processes. However, the underlying mechanism of scavenger receptor-serum protein interaction remains elusive. In this work, taking scavenger receptors class A1 (SR-A1) as an example, we systematically investigate its interaction with human serum albumin (HSA) at different states through a combination of molecular docking and all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. It is found that native HSA can moderately bind to collagen-like (CL) region or scavenger receptor cysteine-rich (SRCR) region, with both electrostatic (ELE) and van der Waals (VDW) interactions, playing important roles. After maleylation, the binding energy, particularly the ELE energy, between HSA and CL region is significantly enhanced, while the binding energy between HSA and SRCR region remains nearly unchanged. Additionally, we also observe that unfolding of the secondary structures in HSA leads to a larger contact surface area between denatured HSA and CL region, but has little impact on the HSA-SRCR region interaction. Therefore, similar to maleylated HSA, denatured HSA is also more likely to bind to the CL region of SR-A1.

Explanation of inconsistencies in the determination of human serum albumin thermal stability

Thermal denaturation of human serum albumin has been the subject of many studies in recent decades, but the results of these studies are often conflicting and inconclusive. To clarify this, we combined different spectroscopic and calorimetric techniques and performed an in-depth analysis of the structural changes that occur during the thermal unfolding of different conformational forms of human serum albumin. Our results showed that the inconsistency of the results in the literature is related to the different quality of samples in different batches, methodological approaches and experimental conditions used in the studies. We confirmed that the presence of fatty acids (FAs) causes a more complex process of the thermal denaturation of human serum albumin. While the unfolding pathway of human serum albumin without FAs can be described by a two-step model, consisting of subsequent reversible and irreversible transitions, the thermal denaturation of human serum albumin with FAs appears to be a three-step process, consisting of a reversible step followed by two consecutive irreversible transitions.

Introducing the multi-dimensional spectral phasors: a tool for the analysis of fluorescence excitation-emission matrices

The use of phasors to analyze fluorescence data was first introduced for time-resolved studies for a simpler mathematical analysis of the fluorescence-decay curves. Recently, this approach was extended to steady-state experiments with the introduction of the spectral phasors (SP), derived from the Fourier transform of the fluorescence emission spectrum. In this work, we revise key mathematical aspects that lead to an interpretation of SP as the characteristic function of a probability distribution. This formalism allows us to introduce a new tool, called multi-dimensional spectral phasor (MdSP) that seize, not only the information from the emission spectrum, but from the full excitation-emission matrix (EEM). In addition, we developed a homemade open-source Java software to facilitate the MdSP data processing. Due to this mathematical conceptualization, we settled a mechanism for the use of MdSP as a tool to tackle spectral signal unmixing problems in a more accurate way than SP. As a proof of principle, with the use of MdSP we approach two important biophysical questions: protein conformational changes and protein-ligand interactions. Specifically, we experimentally measure the EEM changes upon denaturation of human serum albumin (HSA) or during its association with the fluorescence dye 1,8-anilinonaphtalene sulphate (ANS) detected via tryptophan-ANS Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET). In this sense, MdSP allows us to obtain information of the system in a simpler and finer way than the traditional SP. Specifically, understanding a protein’s EEM as a molecular fingerprint opens new doors for the use of MdSP as a tool to analyze and comprehend protein conformational changes and interactions.

Effect of methotrexate and its photodegradation products on the temperature induced denaturation of human serum albumin.

Effect of the photodegradation of chemotherapeutic agent methotrexate on the denaturation of human serum albumin has been studied by differential scanning calorimetry and fluorimetric measurements. Photoluminescence studies highlighted entropy driven binding of both methotrexate molecules and its degradation products to the albumin molecules. The calorimetric measurements evaluated by the Kissinger method show elevated activation energy in the presence of methotrexate. Similar but moderated enhancement of the activation energy was obtained in the presence of the photodegradation products of methotrexate. These results highlight stabilization of the human serum albumin by the methotrexate drug which finding may contribute to fine tuning of methotrexate applications in therapy.

Probing the interaction between human serum albumin and the sodium dodecyl sulphate with fluorescence correlation spectroscopy

The denaturation of human serum albumin (HSA) upon interaction with the surfactant sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) was examined by measuring the diffusion time of fluorophore (RITC) tagged HSA under near single-molecule conditions using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. The diffusion time shows four distinct regions as a function of SDS concentration, which corresponds to (I) opening of the tertiary structure, (II) non-specific SDS aggregation, (III) opening of the secondary structure, and (IV) aggregation of SDS around the secondary structure. Diffusion time increases from 383 µs for the free protein to 1002 µs for the SDS bound protein, which leads to an effective increase in the hydrodynamic radius by a factor of about 2.6.

Shape-Dependent Macromolecular Crowding on the Thermodynamics and Microsecond Conformational Dynamics of Protein Unfolding Revealed at the Single-Molecule Level

One of the main differences in the intercellular environment compared to the laboratory condition is the presence of macromolecular crowders of various compositions, sizes, and shapes. In this article, we have contemplated a systematic shape dependency of macromolecular crowders on the thermodynamics and microsecond conformational fluctuation dynamics of protein unfolding by taking human serum albumin (HSA) as the model protein and similar-sized crowders, namely, dextran-40, ficoll-70, and PEG-35 as macromolecular crowders of different shapes, to mimic the cell environment. We observed that dextran-40 and ficoll-70 counteract the thermal denaturation and PEG-35 assists it. A complete thermodynamic analysis suggests that the stabilization by dextran-40 and ficoll-70 occurs mainly through stabilizing entropic effect, which is somewhat counteracted by the destabilizing enthalpic effect, in line with what is expected from the traditional interpretation of excluded volume and soft interaction. Surprisingly, the destabilizing effect of PEG-35 is not through unfavorable interaction but through a destabilizing entropic effect, which is opposite to the excluded volume prediction. Our speculation is that the modulation of the associated water structure due to crowder-induced distortion plays a crucial role in modulating the entropic component. Moreover, while a two-state model can approximate the overall thermal denaturation of HSA in the absence and presence of various crowders, the thermal denaturation profile of domain III of HSA involves a distinct intermediate state. The active-site dynamics of HSA are altered significantly in the presence of all the three differently shaped crowders used in the study. Rod-shaped dextran-40 and spherical ficoll-70 hinder the microsecond conformational dynamics of domain III of HSA in all states except the intermediate state. Mesh-like PEG-35 in addition to hindering the microsecond conformational dynamics shifts the intermediate state from 40 to 30 °C. Overall, our results provide new insight into deciphering the mechanism of crowder-induced changes in protein. Through our interpretation, we not only explain the unfavorable entropic contribution but also provide a physical basis to explain the entropy-enthalpy compensation.

A Comprehensive Study on Theoretical and Experimental Effects of Nicotinic Acid and Picolinic Acid on the Structure and Stability of Human Serum Albumin

The interaction of nicotinic acid (Nic) and picolinic acid (Pic), as two pyridine carboxylic acids, with human serum albumin (HSA) as a major transport protein in the blood was investigated using UV-Vis, fluorimetry, circular dichroism (CD), and molecular docking studies. The melting point (Tm) and ΔG0(298K) of HSA, as two thermodynamic parameters, were obtained from thermal denaturation of HSA with and without the presence of Nic and Pic. Tm values of 332.5, 336.4, and 333.9 K, and ΔG0(298K) of 97.4, 99.9, and 118.9 kJ/mol were recorded for HSA alone and following incubation with Nic and Pic, respectively. In chemical denaturation experiments utilizing guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl), value of ΔG0H2O of 12.5, 16, and 15.3 kJ/mol, [Ligand]1/2 of 2.2, 2.4, and 2.3 M, and m of 5.6, 6.6, and 6.6 kJ/(mol × M) were recorded, respectively. The results of CD, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations showed that the binding of Nic and Pic to HSA induced conformational changes in HSA. Furthermore, the study of molecular docking indicated that the binding affinity of the Nic and Pic to site І (subdomain ІІA) is greater than that of site ІI (subdomain ІІIA) of HSA. These results provide valuable insights into the binding mechanisms of Nic and Pic to a plasma protein that is known to play an important role in the delivery of drugs to target organs.

Systematic FTIR Spectroscopy Study of the Secondary Structure Changes in Human Serum Albumin under Various Denaturation Conditions.

Human serum albumin (HSA) is the most abundant protein in blood plasma. HSA is involved in the transport of hormones, fatty acids, and some other compounds, maintenance of blood pH, osmotic pressure, and many other functions. Although this protein is well studied, data about its conformational changes upon different denaturation factors are fragmentary and sometimes contradictory. This is especially true for FTIR spectroscopy data interpretation. Here, the effect of various denaturing agents on the structural state of HSA by using FTIR spectroscopy in the aqueous solutions was systematically studied. Our data suggest that the second derivative deconvolution method provides the most consistent interpretation of the obtained IR spectra. The secondary structure changes of HSA were studied depending on the concentration of the denaturing agent during acid, alkaline, and thermal denaturation. In general, the denaturation of HSA in different conditions is accompanied by a decrease in α-helical conformation and an increase in random coil conformation and the intermolecular β-strands. Meantime, some variation in the conformational changes depending on the type of the denaturation agent were also observed. The increase of β-structural conformation suggests that HSA may form amyloid-like aggregates upon the denaturation.

Maslinic acid conjugate with 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin as probe to monitor the temperature dependent conformational changes of human serum albumin by FRET.

Synthesis, characterization and spectroscopic investigation of maslinic acid labeled with fluorescent 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin is reported. It was found that the coumarin-maslinic derivative (MaCo) forms an excellent fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) pair with the tryptophan (Trp) residue of human serum albumin (HSA). This feature allowed for monitoring HSA conformational alterations by measuring the distance between donor (Trp) and acceptor (MaCo) through Förster energy transfer mechanism. Displacement experiments confirmed that MaCo binds to subdomain IIA of HSA with independence of temperature. It was observed that, in the temperature range 35-45 °C, the fluorescence emission maximum of HSA-MaCo complex decreased, whereas in the range 45 °C-65 °C, an increment was detected. The concomitant change in the polarity of environment surrounding Trp was confirmed by red edge excitation shift experiments. Thermal denaturation of HSA was followed by time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. Average lifetime of Trp residue decreased with temperature due to the increment of solvent collisions and changes in the solvent exposure of Trp. To discriminate the importance of each effect, lifetime of N-Acetyl-L-tryptophanamide (NATA) at different temperatures was measured. Circular dichroism (CD) studies confirmed the loss of secondary structure of HSA with increasing temperature and showed a different trend in the conformational transformation below and above 45 °C, in agreement with steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence experiments.

Region-Specific Double Denaturation of Human Serum Albumin: Combined Effects of Temperature and GnHCl on Structural and Dynamical Responses.

In this work, we have investigated the effects of denaturing agents, guanidine hydrochloride (GnHCl) and temperature, on the overall structure, domain-I, and domain-III of human serum albumin (HSA) using circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and steady-state, time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. We have tagged Cys-34 of HSA, located at domain-I, using N-(7-dimethylamino-4-methylcoumarin-3-yl)iodoacetamide and Tyr-411 of HSA, located at domain-III, using p-nitrophenyl coumarin ester, for this purpose. The CD spectroscopy studies reveal the overall denaturation of the protein. The denaturation follows the expected direction in which the protein is denatured with an increase in the concentration of GnHCl or temperature. The α-helicity of the native state of HSA was found to be 64.2%, and the minimum value of α-helicity was found to be 14.8% in the presence of 6 M GnHCl at room temperature. Steady-state emission studies were carried out on domain-I and domain-III of the protein using site-specific fluorescent tags. The degree of folding of the two domains at different combinations of temperature and GnHCl concentration was calculated and was found to follow a slightly different course of denaturation. Solvation dynamics was found to be quite different for these two domains. The domain-I of HSA has a maximum solvation time of 0.39 ns, and the solvation time tends to decrease with the action of either temperature or GnHCl. On the other hand, the domain-III of HSA showed a much higher solvation time (1.42 ns) and does not show any regular change at higher temperatures or in the presence of GnHCl. This difference could be attributed to the different microenvironment inside the protein cores of the two domains.

Formation of J-Aggregates of an Anionic Oxacarbocyanine Dye Upon Interaction with Proteins and Polyelectrolytes

J-aggregation of the anionic oxacarbocyanine dye 3,3′-di-(γ-sulfopropyl)-5,5′-diphenyl-9-ethyloxacarbocyanine betaine was studied in aqueous solutions in the presence of proteins (collagens, immunoglobulin G, serum albumins) and polyelectrolytes (polyethyleneimine, polyvinylpyrrolidone). It was found that denaturation of human serum albumin by urea stimulated J-aggregation of the dye. The dye formed two types of J-aggregates in the presence of denatured albumin and polyethyleneimine. J-aggregates formed in the presence of polyethyleneimine rearranged over time.

Interaction between Albumin and Pluronic F127 Block Copolymer Revealed by Global and Local Physicochemical Profiling.

The interaction of human serum albumin (HSA) with amphiphilic block copolymer Pluronic F127 has been investigated by several physical methods. Interest in studying this system stems from a broad range of bioactivities involving both macromolecules. Serum albumins constitute a significant class of proteins in the circulatory system, acting as carriers for a wide spectrum of compounds or assemblies. Pluronic block copolymers have revealed their capacity to ferry a variety of biologically active compounds. Circular dichroism, rheological measurements, and differential scanning microcalorimetry (μDSC) were employed to get insight into the interaction betweeen the two macromolecules. The results reveal that Pluronic F127 induces conformational changes to albumin if it is organized in a micellar form, while albumin influences the self-assembly of Pluronic F127 into micelles or gels. F127 micelles, however, induce smaller conformational changes compared to ionic surfactants. The μDSC thermograms obtained for HSA and/or F127 show that HSA shifts the critical micellar temperature (cmt) to lower values, while concurrently the HSA denaturation behavior is influenced by F127, depending on its concentration. Rheological measurements on solutions of F127 17% have shown that a sol-to-gel transition occurs at higher temperatures in the presence of HSA and the resulting gel is weaker. The global profile on HSA/F127 systems was complemented by local information provided by EPR measurements. A series of X-band EPR experiments was performed with spin probes 4-(N,N'-dimethyl-N-hexadecyl)ammonium-2,2',6,6'-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl iodide (CAT16) and 5-doxyl stearic acid (5-DSA). These spin probes bind to albumin sites and are sensitive to phase transformations in Pluronic block copolymer solutions. For a given F127 concentration, the spin probe binds only to HSA below cmt and migrates to the F127 micelles above cmt. The collective data suggest soft interactions between the macromolecules, with the emerging results projecting potential applications linked to reaching optimal conditions for certain drug formulations.

Thermal Stability of Human Serum Albumin: the Dependence on the Protein Concentration, Scan Rate, and the Presence of Fatty Acids and Low-Weight Molecular Ligands

Human serum albumin (HSA) is the most abundant protein in human plasma with ascribed ligand binding and transport properties. Design of this molecule provides a variety of binding sites for many physiological important ligands, including a wide variety of drugs. In this work, the dependence of the thermal denaturation of HSA on the protein concentration, scan rate, and the presence of fatty acids and low-molecular weight drugs (warfarin, ibuprofen, hypericin, emodin) have been thoroughly investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Our results show that the presence of fatty acids in HSA significantly stabilizes the structure of this protein. Further, DSC curves exhibit a significant dependence on the protein concentration in both fatty acid containing and fatty acids free HSA. From the linear dependence of 1/Tm on albumin concentration follows that HSA tends to form dimers during denaturation process. The obtained DSC data show only a slight increase of Tm and ΔHcal with a scan rate increase. Interactions of the studied low-molecular weight drugs with HSA lead to a significant enhancement of the protein thermal stability (higher temperature and enthalpy of the denaturation in comparison with those thermodynamic parameters determined for HSA alone). However, in the presence of emodin at high concentration ratios (emodin:HSA>10:1), a decrease of the stabilization effect is observed. This is probably caused by the ability of emodin to bind both folded and unfolded states of HSA.AcknowledgementsThis work has been supported by the contract APVV-0242-11, the project CELIM (316310) funded by 7 FP EU, and by the EU Structural Funds (ITMS 26240120040 and ITMS 26220220107(50%)).

Effects of Selective Biotinylation on the Thermodynamic Stability of Human Serum Albumin

Thermal denaturation and stability of two commercially available preparations of Human Serum Albumin (HSA), differing in their advertised level of purity, were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). These protein samples were 99% pure HSA (termed HSA99) and 96% pure HSA (termed HSA96). According to the supplier, the 3% difference in purity between HSA96 and HSA99 is primarily attributed to the presence of globulins and fatty acids. Our primary aim was to investigate the utility of DSC in discerning changes in HSA that occur when the protein is specifically adducted, and determine how adduct formation manifests itself in HSA denaturation curves, or thermograms, measured by DSC. Effects of site specific covalent attachment of biotin (the adduct) on the thermodynamic stability of HSA were investigated. Each of the HSA preparations was modified by biotinylation targeting a single site, or multiple sites on the protein structure. Thermograms of both modified and unmodified HSA samples successfully demonstrated the ability of DSC to clearly discern the two HSA preparations and the presence or absence of covalent modifications. DSC thermogram analysis also provided thermodynamic characterization of the different HSA samples of the study, which provided insight into how the two forms of HSA respond to covalent modification with biotin. Consistent with published studies [1] HSA96, the preparation with contaminants that contain globulins and fatty acids seems to be comprised of two forms, HSA96-L and HSA96-H, with HSA96-L more stable than HSA99. The effect of multisite biotinylation is to stabilize HSA96-L and destabilize HSA96-H. Thermodynamic analysis suggests that the binding of ligands comprising the fatty acid and globulin-like contaminant contributes approximately 6.7 kcal/mol to the stability HSA96-L.

Anisotropy resolved multidimensional emission spectroscopy (ARMES): A new tool for protein analysis

Structural analysis of proteins using the emission of intrinsic fluorophores is complicated by spectral overlap. Anisotropy resolved multidimensional emission spectroscopy (ARMES) overcame the overlap problem by the use of anisotropy, with chemometric analysis, to better resolve emission from different fluorophores. Total synchronous fluorescence scan (TSFS) provided information about all the fluorophores that contributed to emission while anisotropy provided information about the environment of each fluorophore. Here the utility of ARMES was demonstrated via study of the chemical and thermal denaturation of human serum albumin (HSA).Multivariate curve resolution (MCR) analysis of the constituent polarized emission ARMES data resolved contributions from four emitters: fluorescence from tryptophan (Trp), solvent exposed tyrosine (Tyr), Tyr in a hydrophobic environment, and room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) from Trp. The MCR scores, anisotropy, and literature validated these assignments and showed all the expected transitions during HSA unfolding. This new methodology for comprehensive intrinsic fluorescence analysis of proteins is applicable to any protein containing multiple fluorophores.

Low molecular weight silicones particularly facilitate human serum albumin denaturation

There is a market trend towards the administration of therapeutic proteins using sterilized, pre-filled glass syringes lubricated with silicone oil. It has been widely reported that initially clear solutions of proteins can become turbid during transport and storage, with unclear outcomes with respect to bioefficacy. While the basic processes of interactions of proteins with hydrophobic entities, leading to denaturation and aggregation, are increasingly well understood, the apparently random occurrence of such processes in syringes is not. To better understand the parameters that may be responsible for this change, we report the systematic examination of a series of factors that can affect the behavior of the protein human serum albumin (HSA) when in contact with silicone oil in water. Fluorescence spectroscopy showed that greater mixing times and greater concentrations of silicones (polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)), especially lower molecular weight hydrophobic silicones like octamethyltetracyclosiloxane (D4), were associated with increased protein denaturation. The turbidity of HSA solutions, due to the formation both of silicone oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions and protein aggregates, was also facilitated by the presence of D4. A series of mixtures of silicone oils, all of which exhibited a viscosity of 1000 cSt but which were comprised of different silicone constituents, clearly showed a correlation between the presence of lower molecular silicones and enhanced solution turbidity. While the addition of a non-ionic silicone-polyether surfactant led to greater turbidity by increasing the number of stabilized oil droplets, it was not accompanied by protein denaturation. These results are consistent with HSA denaturation and subsequent aggregation as a consequence of contact particularly with low molecular weight, hydrophobic silicones that are more mobile, leading to more efficient protein/silicone contact.

Electronic excitation energy transfer between molecules of cyanine dyes in a complex with protein and in systems of magnetic nanoparticles with protein coatings

Electronic excitation energy transfer (EEET) between molecules of carbocyanine dyes bound noncovalently with human serum albumin (HSA) has been studied. 3,3′-Di-(gamma-sulfopropyl)-9-methylcarbocyanine betaine has been used as an electronic excitation energy donor and 3,3′-di-(gamma-sulfopropyl)-4,5,4′,5′-dibenzo-9-ethylthiacarbocyanine betaine, as an acceptor dye. EEET has been studied both in samples of HSA solutions and in systems containing protein-coated magnetic nanoparticles. Stable coatings of magnetic nanoparticles, consisting of a mixture of HSA and bovine serum albumin, have been formed by the method of free radical linking of protein molecules adsorbed on the surface of the particles. The effect of HSA denaturation on the spectral and fluorescent properties of the dyes and EEET has been studied, and the data on donor fluorescence quenching by the acceptor have been obtained. It has been concluded that HSA retains its functional properties in the linked coating, thereby providing evidence for biocompatibility of the coatings obtained by free-radical oxidative protein modification.

Short chain polyethylene glycols unusually assist thermal unfolding ofhuman serum albumin.

In the present study we have investigated the thermal stability of the globular transport protein human serum albumin (HSA), in the presence of two small chain polyethylene glycols (namely PEG 200 and PEG 400). Both near- and far-UV circular dichroism (CD) study reveal that addition of PEG moderately increases the α-helical content of the protein without abruptly changing its tertiary structure. The hydration structure at the protein surface experiences a notable change at 30% PEG (v/v) concentration as evidenced from compressibility and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements. Thermal denaturation of HSA in the presence of PEG has been studied by CD and fluorescence spectroscopy using the intrinsic fluorophore tryptophan and it has been found that addition of PEG makes the protein more prone towards unfolding, which is in contrary to what has been observed in case of larger molecular weight polymers. The energetics of the thermal unfolding process has been obtained using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements. Our study concludes that both the indirect excluded volume principle as well as interaction of the polymer at the protein surface is responsible for the observed change of the unfolding process.

Probing the influences of urea on the interaction of sinomenine with human serum albumin by steady-state fluorescence

The binding of sinomenine to human serum albumin (HSA) in aqueous solution in the absence and presence of urea has been studied by fluorescence and the three-dimensional (3D) fluorescence at pH 7.40. Subdomain IIA binding site of human serum albumin (HSA) was characterized by examining the change in HSA fluorescence. The quenching rate constants and binding constants were calculated in the absence and presence of the denaturant. The results point to a static quenching mechanism operating in the complexes. However, the binding ability of sinomenine to denatured HSA is weaker than that of sinomenine to native HSA. Denaturation of HSA in the presence of urea is almost complete at [urea]⩾8.0M. Upon unfolding, two fluorescence peaks were observed. One peak was assigned to the fluorescence of Trp-214 residue in a polar environment, and the other peak was assigned to the fluorescence of tyrosine residues. Compared to the free HSA, the HSA-sinomenine complex is more stable in the presence of urea.