Study on the interaction of La3+ with bovine serum albumin at molecular level

► Fluorescence data was used to demonstrate that BSA fluorescence can be quenched by La3+. ► La3+ can bind to BSA with stoichiometric ratio of 1:1. ► BSA-La3+ complex is stabilized mainly by electrostatic effect. ► Synchronous fluorescence and CD data revealed that BSA undergoes conformational changes upon binding to La3+.