Biophysical analysis of partially folded state of α-lactalbumin in the presence of cationic and anionic surfactants

The role of different types of interactions and their contribution in the stabilization of bovine α-lactalbumin (α-LA) molten globule in presence of cationic surfactant, hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (HTAB) and anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) have been examined using a combination of spectroscopic, light scattering and calorimetric techniques. The results correlated well with each other and were used to characterize the partially folded states of the protein both qualitatively and quantitatively. At lower concentration of the surfactants, the thermodynamic parameters obtained from UV–visible spectroscopy suggested an increased exposure of non-polar groups in HTAB while a possible restructuring of non-polar groups were indicated in SDS. The fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopy showed the formation of an intermediate state at various concentrations of HTAB and SDS while the lifetime measurements supported the assumption of protein–surfactant complex stability in HTAB as compared to SDS. The hydrodynamic diameter and the ζ-potential were analyzed by dynamic light scattering (DLS) which also implicated the combined influence of electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions in protein unfolding in HTAB and only hydrophobic interactions in SDS. The binding parameters for ANS obtained from isothermal titration calorimetric (ITC) measurements suggested a high stability of α-LA molten globule and the role of enthalpic and entropic contribution in the binding of ANS in HTAB. It also indicated the fragility of α-LA molten globule in SDS. The possible binding sites as well as the interactions of ANS with the partially folded protein were also studied from the thermodynamic parameters obtained from the ITC.

Structural changes in bovine α-lactalbumin in presence of cationic and anionic surfactants and the role of different interactions in the stability of molten globule state.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (145 K)Download as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights
► Both surfactants at very low concentration → stable molten globule (overall stability: HTAB > SDS).
► Major unfolding of α-LA, in HTAB → electrostatic interactions, in SDS → only hydrophobic interactions.
► Hydrodynamic diameter of molten globule in SDS: 7.38 ± 0.41 nm, HTAB under same condition → aggregation.
► The energetics of ANS binding in HTAB → enthalpically driven (ΔH1 = −12.2 ± 0.3; ΔH2 = −35.7 ± 1.5).
► α-LA molten globule thus obtained in HTAB and SDS was very different than the conventional ones.