Volumetric study on the protein-anesthetic binding

Thermodynamic equations describing the volume behavior of protein-ligand mixtures in water were derived. In order to estimate the volume and binding parameters, the equations were combined with a Langmuir-type binding isotherm. Densities of aqueous solutions of mixtures of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and octanol (C8OH) were measured as a function of total BSA molality, m(M)(T), at constant total C8OH molalities, m(X)(T). The data were analyzed by the equations. The partial molar volumes at infinite dilution of BSA and C8OH, V(M)(T,0) and V(X)(T,0), respectively, were estimated. It was seen that V(M)(T,0) decreases by the addition of C8OH to the solution and that V(X)(T,0) decreases gradually with increasing m(M)(T) and approaches asymptotically to a certain value at high m(M)(T). From the concentration dependence of V(M)(T,0) and V(X)(T,0), the values of the association constant K=392 kg mol(-1), the maximum binding number b(max)=1.9, and the volume change DeltaV=-109 cm(3) mol(-1) were obtained for BSA-C8OH interaction in water. The negative value of DeltaV indicates that the hydrophobic interaction reduces the protein volume and elevation of pressure promotes BSA-C8OH binding. These results is inconsistent with the pressure reversal of anesthesia.