Heidar-Ali Tajmir-Riahi

Milk β-lactoglobulin complexes with tea polyphenols.

The effect of milk on the antioxidant capacity of tea polyphenols is not fully understood. The complexation of tea polyphenols with milk proteins can alter the antioxidant activity of tea compounds and the protein secondary structure. This study was designed to examine the interaction of β-lactogolobulin (β-LG) with tea polyphenols (+)-catechin (C), (-)-epicatechin (EC), (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG) and (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) at molecular level, using FTIR, CD and fluorescence spectroscopic methods as well as molecular modelling. The polyphenol binding mode, the binding constant and the effects of polyphenol complexation on β-LG stability and secondary structure were determined. Structural analysis showed that polyphenols bind β-LG via both hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions with overall binding constants of KC-β-LG=2.2 (±0.8)×10(3)M(-1), KEC-β-LG=3.2 (±1)×10(3)M(-1), KECG-β-LG=1.1 (±0.6)×10(4)M(-1) and KEGCG-β-LG=1.3 (±0.8)×10(4)M(-1). The number of polyphenols bound per protein molecule (n) was 1.1 (C), 0.9 (EC), 0.9 (ECG) and 1.3 (EGCG). Molecular modelling showed the participation of several amino acid residues in polyphenol-protein complexation with extended H-bonding network. The β-LG conformation was altered in the presence of polyphenols with an increase in β-sheet and α-helix suggesting protein structural stabilisation. These data can be used to explain the mechanism by which the antioxidant activity of tea compounds is affected by the addition of milk.

Study on the Interaction of Cationic Lipids with Bovine Serum Albumin

There are several lipid binding sites on serum albumins. The aim of this study was to examine the binding of bovine serum albumin (BSA) to cholesterol (Chol), 1,2-dioleoyl-3-(trimethylammonium)propane (DOTAP), (dioctadecyldimethyl)ammonium bromide (DDAB), and dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE), at physiological conditions, using constant protein concentration and various lipid contents. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence spectroscopic methods were used to analyze the lipid binding mode, the binding constant, and the effects of lipid complexation on BSA stability and conformation. Structural analysis showed that lipids bind BSA via both hydrophilic and hydrophobic contacts with overall binding constants of K(Chol) = (1.12 +/- 0.40) x 10(3) M(-1), K(DDAB) = (1.50 +/- 0.50) x 10(3) M(-1), K(DOTAP) = (2.45 +/- 0.80) x 10(3) M(-1), and K(DOPE) = (1.35 +/- 0.60) x 10(3) M(-1). The numbers of bound lipid (n) were 1.1 (cholesterol), 1.28 (DDAB), 1.02 (DOPE), and 1.21 (DOTAP) in these lipid-BSA complexes. DDAB and DOTAP induced major alterations of BSA conformation, causing a partial protein unfolding, while cholesterol and DOPE stabilized protein secondary structure.

Interaction of taxol with human serum albumin.

Taxol (paclitaxel) is an anticancer drug, which interacts with microtuble proteins, in a manner that catalyzes their formation from tubulin and stabilizes the resulting structures (Nogales et al., Nature 375 (1995) 424-427). This study was designed to examine the interaction of taxol with human serum albumin (HSA) in aqueous solution at physiological pH with drug concentrations of 0.0001-0.1 mM, and HSA (fatty acid free) concentration of 2% w/v. Gel electrophoresis, absorption spectra and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy with self-deconvolution and second-derivative resolution enhancement were used to determine the drug binding mode, binding constant and the protein secondary structure in the presence of taxol in aqueous solution. Spectroscopic evidence showed that taxol-protein interaction results into two types of drug-HSA complexes with overall binding constant of K=1.43 x 10(4) M(-1). The molar ratios of complexes were of taxol/HSA 30/1 (30 mM taxol) and 90/1 (90 mM taxol) with the complex ratios of 1.9 and 3.4 drug molecules per HSA molecule, respectively. The taxol binding results in major protein secondary structural changes from that of the alpha-helix 55 to 45% and beta-sheet 22 to 26%, beta-anti 12 to 15% and turn 11 to 16%, in the taxol-HSA complexes. The observed spectral changes indicate a partial unfolding of the protein structure, in the presence of taxol in aqueous solution.

Structural analysis of human serum albumin complexes with cationic lipids.

Human serum albumin (HSA) is a major transporter for delivering several endogenous compounds including fatty acids in vivo. Even though HSA is the primary target of fatty acid binding, the effects of cationic lipid on protein stability and conformation have not been investigated. The aim of this study was to examine the interaction of human serum albumin (HSA) with helper lipids--cholesterol (Chol) and dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE)--and with cationic lipids--dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) and 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DOTAP), at physiological conditions, using constant protein concentration and various lipid contents. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), circular dichroism (CD), and fluorescence spectroscopic methods were used to analyze the lipid binding mode, the binding constant, and the effects of lipid interaction on HSA stability and conformation. Structural analysis showed that cholesterol and DOPE (helper lipids) interact mainly with HSA polypeptide polar groups and via hydrophobic moieties. Hydrophobic interactions dominate the binding of cationic lipids to HSA. The number of bound lipids (n) calculated was 1.22 (cholesterol), 1.82 (DDAB), 1.76 (DOPE), and 1.56 (DOTAP). The overall binding constants estimated were KChol=2.3 (+/-0.50)x10(3) M(-1), KDDAB=8.9 (+/-0.95)x10(3) M(-1), KDOTAP=9.1 (+/-0.90)x10(3) M(-1), and KDOPE=4.7 (+/-0.70)x10(3) M(-1). HSA conformation was stabilized by cholesterol and DOPE with a slight increase of protein alpha-helical structures, while DOTAP and DDAB induced an important (alpha-->beta) transition, suggesting a partial protein unfolding.

Study of curcumin and genistein interactions with human serum albumin.

Curcumin, the yellow pigment from the rhizoma of Curcuma longa, is a widely studied polyphenolic compound which has a variety of biological activity as anti-inflammatory and antioxidative agent. Genistein one of the flavonoids found in soybean and chickpeas inhibits DNA strand breaks acting as a direct scavenger of reactive oxygen species. Human serum albumin (HSA) with high affinity binding sites is a major transporter for delivering several endogenous compounds and drugs in vivo. The aim of this study was to examine the interactions of curcumin and genistein with human serum albumin at physiological conditions, using constant protein concentration and various pigment contents. FTIR, UV-Visible, CD and fluorescence spectroscopic methods were used to analyse drug binding mode, the binding constant and the effects of pigment complexation on HSA stability and conformation. Structural analysis showed that curcumin and genistein bind HSA via polypeptide polar groups with overall binding constants of K(curcumin)=5.5 (+/-0.8)x10(4)M(-1) and K(genistein)=2.4 (+/-0.40)x10(4)M(-1). The number of bound pigment (n) is 1.33 for curcumin and 1.49 for genistein. The HSA conformation was altered by pigment complexation with reduction of alpha-helix and increase of random coil and turn structures suggesting a partial protein unfolding.

Structural analysis of DNA complexation with cationic lipids

Complexes of cationic liposomes with DNA are promising tools to deliver genetic information into cells for gene therapy and vaccines. Electrostatic interaction is thought to be the major force in lipid–DNA interaction, while lipid-base binding and the stability of cationic lipid–DNA complexes have been the subject of more debate in recent years. The aim of this study was to examine the complexation of calf-thymus DNA with cholesterol (Chol), 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DOTAP), dioctadecyldimethylammoniumbromide (DDAB) and dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE), at physiological condition, using constant DNA concentration and various lipid contents. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), UV-visible, circular dichroism spectroscopic methods and atomic force microscopy were used to analyse lipid-binding site, the binding constant and the effects of lipid interaction on DNA stability and conformation. Structural analysis showed a strong lipid–DNA interaction via major and minor grooves and the backbone phosphate group with overall binding constants of KChol = 1.4 (±0.5) × 104 M−1, KDDAB = 2.4 (±0.80) × 104 M−1, KDOTAP = 3.1 (±0.90) × 104 M−1 and KDOPE = 1.45 (± 0.60) × 104 M−1. The order of stability of lipid–DNA complexation is DOTAP>DDAB>DOPE>Chol. Hydrophobic interactions between lipid aliphatic tails and DNA were observed. Chol and DOPE induced a partial B to A-DNA conformational transition, while a partial B to C-DNA alteration occurred for DDAB and DOTAP at high lipid concentrations. DNA aggregation was observed at high lipid content.

Folic acid complexes with human and bovine serum albumins

The interaction of folic acid with human serum (HSA) and bovine serum albumins (BSA) at physiological conditions, using constant protein concentration and various folic acid contents was investigated. FTIR, UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopic methods as well as molecular modelling were used to analyse folic acid binding sites, the binding constant and the effect on HSA and BSA stability and conformations. Structural analysis showed that folic acid binds HSA and BSA via both hydrophilic and hydrophobic contacts with overall binding constants of Kfolic acid-HSA=8.1 (±0.5)×10(4)M(-1) and Kfolic acid-BSA=1.0 (±0.3)×10(5)M(-1). The number of bound acid molecules per protein was 1.7 (±0.4) for HSA and 1.5 (±0.3) for BSA complexes. Molecular modelling showed participation of several amino acids in folic acid-protein complexes stabilised by hydrogen bonding network. Folic acid complexation altered protein secondary structure by major reduction of α-helix from 59% (free HSA) to 35% (acid-complex) and 62% (free BSA) to 25% (acid-complex) with an increase in random coil, turn and β-sheet structures indicating protein unfolding. The results suggest that serum albumins might act as carrier proteins for folic acid in delivering it to target molecules.

Probing the Binding Sites of Antibiotic Drugs Doxorubicin and N-(trifluoroacetyl) Doxorubicin with Human and Bovine Serum Albumins

We located the binding sites of doxorubicin (DOX) and N-(trifluoroacetyl) doxorubicin (FDOX) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumins (HSA) at physiological conditions, using constant protein concentration and various drug contents. FTIR, CD and fluorescence spectroscopic methods as well as molecular modeling were used to analyse drug binding sites, the binding constant and the effect of drug complexation on BSA and HSA stability and conformations. Structural analysis showed that doxorubicin and N-(trifluoroacetyl) doxorubicin bind strongly to BSA and HSA via hydrophilic and hydrophobic contacts with overall binding constants of K DOX-BSA = 7.8 (±0.7)×103 M−1, K FDOX-BSA = 4.8 (±0.5)×103 M−1 and K DOX-HSA = 1.1 (±0.3)×104 M−1, K FDOX-HSA = 8.3 (±0.6)×103 M−1. The number of bound drug molecules per protein is 1.5 (DOX-BSA), 1.3 (FDOX-BSA) 1.5 (DOX-HSA), 0.9 (FDOX-HSA) in these drug-protein complexes. Docking studies showed the participation of several amino acids in drug-protein complexation, which stabilized by H-bonding systems. The order of drug-protein binding is DOX-HSA > FDOX-HSA > DOX-BSA > FDOX>BSA. Drug complexation alters protein conformation by a major reduction of α-helix from 63% (free BSA) to 47–44% (drug-complex) and 57% (free HSA) to 51–40% (drug-complex) inducing a partial protein destabilization. Doxorubicin and its derivative can be transported by BSA and HSA in vitro.

Binding sites of retinol and retinoic acid with serum albumins.

Retinoids are effectively transported in the bloodstream via serum albumins. We report the complexation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) with retinol and retinoic acid at physiological conditions, using constant protein concentration and various retinoid contents. FTIR, CD and fluorescence spectroscopic methods and molecular modeling were used to analyze retinoid binding site, the binding constant and the effects of complexation on BSA stability and secondary structure. Structural analysis showed that retinoids bind BSA via hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions with overall binding constants of K(Ret)(-BSA) = 5.3 (±0.8) × 10(6) M(-1) and K(Retac-BSA) = 2.3 (±0.4) × 10(6) M(-1). The number of bound retinoid molecules (n) was 1.20 (±0.2) for retinol and 1.8 (±0.3) for retinoic acid. Molecular modeling showed the participation of several amino acids in retinoid-BSA complexes stabilized by H-bonding network. The retinoid binding altered BSA conformation with a major reduction of α-helix from 61% (free BSA) to 36% (retinol-BSA) and 26% (retinoic acid-BSA) with an increase in turn and random coil structures indicating a partial protein unfolding. The results indicate that serum albumins are capable of transporting retinoids in vitro and in vivo.

DNA interaction with antitumor polyamine analogues: a comparison with biogenic polyamines.

Biogenic polyamines, putrescine, spermidine, and spermine, are ubiquitous cellular cations and exert multiple biological functions. Polyamine analogues mimic biogenic polyamines at macromolecular level but are unable to substitute for natural polyamines and maintain cell proliferation, indicating biomedical applications. The mechanistic differences in DNA binding mode between natural and synthetic polyamines have not been explored. The aim of this study was to examine the interaction of calf thymus DNA with three polyamine analogues, 1,11-diamino-4,8-diazaundecane (333), 3,7,11,15-tetrazaheptadecane x 4 HCl (BE-333), and 3,7,11,15,19-pentazahenicosane x 5 HCl (BE-3333), using FTIR, UV-visible, and CD spectroscopy. Polyamine analogues bind with guanine and backbone PO2 group as major targets in DNA, whereas biogenic polyamines bind to major and minor grooves as well as to phosphate groups. Weaker interaction with DNA was observed for analogues with respect to biogenic polyamines, with K(333) = 1.90 (+/-0.5) x 10(4) M(-1), K(BE-333) = 6.4 (+/-1.7) x 10(4) M(-1), K(BE-3333) = 4.7 (+/-1.4) x 10(4) M(-1) compared to K(Spm) = 2.3 (+/-1.1) x 10(5) M(-1), K(Spd) = 1.4 (+/-0.6) x 10(5) M(-1), and K(Put) = 1.02 (+/-0.5) x 10(5) M(-1). A partial B- to A-DNA transition was also provoked by analogues. These data suggest distinct differences in the binding of natural and synthetic polyamines with DNA.