Isorenieratene interaction with human serum albumin: Multi-spectroscopic analyses and docking simulation

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Food Science
• Spectroscopy

Background:

• Isorenieratene is an aromatic carotenoid found in food ingredients like smear cheese.
• It exhibits notable antioxidant and photoprotective properties.
• Understanding its interaction with biomolecules like human serum albumin (HSA) is crucial for its application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the binding interaction between isorenieratene and human serum albumin (HSA).
• To compare the binding characteristics of isorenieratene with nonaromatic carotenoids.
• To elucidate the mechanism and forces governing the isorenieratene-HSA interaction.

Main Methods:

• Multi-spectroscopic techniques including synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy.
• Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy.
• Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and molecular docking simulations.

Main Results:

• Isorenieratene binds to HSA via a static quenching mechanism, indicating a spontaneous and exothermic process.
• Hydrophobic forces and electrostatic attraction are the primary driving forces for the binding.
• Isorenieratene binding alters HSA's secondary structure and amino acid micro-environment, showing greater stability than nonaromatic carotenoids.

Conclusions:

• Isorenieratene forms a stable complex with HSA, primarily through hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions.
• The binding process involves conformational changes in HSA, suggesting potential implications for drug delivery or nutritional studies.
• Isorenieratene demonstrates superior stability in its complex with HSA compared to nonaromatic carotenoids.