Interaction between phillygenin and human serum albumin based on spectroscopic and molecular docking

In this paper, the interaction of human serum albumin (HSA) with phillygenin was investigated by fluorescence, circular dichroism (CD), UV–vis spectroscopic and molecular docking methods under physiological conditions. The Stern–Volmer analysis indicated that the fluorescence quenching of HSA by phillygenin resulted from static mechanism, and the binding constants were 1.71 × 105, 1.61 × 105 and 1.47 × 104 at 300, 305 and 310 K, respectively. The results of UV–vis spectra show that the secondary structure of the protein has been changed in the presence of phillygenin. The CD spectra showed that HSA conformation was altered by phillygenin with a major reduction of α-helix and an increase in β-sheet and random coil structures, indicating a partial protein unfolding. The distance between donor (HSA) and acceptor (phillygenin) was calculated to be 3.52 nm and the results of synchronous fluorescence spectra showed that binding of phillygenin to HSA can induce conformational changes in HSA. Molecular docking experiments found that phillygenin binds with HSA at IIIA domain of hydrophobic pocket with hydrogen bond interactions. The ionic bonds were formed with the O (4), O (5) and O (6) of phillygenin with nitrogen of ASN109, ARG186 and LEU115, respectively. The hydrogen bonds are formed between O (2) of phillygenin and SER419. In the presence of copper (II), iron (III) and alcohol, the apparent association constant KA and the number of binding sites of phillygenin on HSA were both decreased in the range of 88.84–91.97% and 16.09–18.85%, respectively. In view of the evidence presented, it is expected to enrich our knowledge of the interaction dynamics of phillygenin to the important plasma protein HSA, and it is also expected to provide important information of designs of new inspired drugs.

The interaction between HSA and phillygenin at physiological conditions by fluorescence, circular dichroism (CD), UV–vis spectroscopy and molecular docking to enrich our knowledge of the interaction dynamics of phillygenin to the important plasma protein HSA, and it is also expected to provide important information of designs of new inspired drugs.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► We investigate the interaction between HSA and phillygenin.
► Fluorescence, CD and UV spectra study shows complex formation between phillygenin and HSA.
► The fluorescence quenching of HSA by phillygenin was static mechanism.
► Van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonds play a role in stabilizing the complex.
► Metal ions and ethanol can increase the concentration of free phillygenin.