Warfarin inhibits allosterically the reductive nitrosylation of ferric human serum heme-albumin.

Human serum heme-albumin (HSA-heme-Fe) displays heme-based ligand binding and (pseudo-)enzymatic properties. Here, the effect of the prototypical drug warfarin on kinetics and thermodynamics of NO binding to ferric and ferrous HSA-heme-Fe (HSA-heme-Fe(III) and HSA-heme-Fe(II), respectively) and on the NO-mediated reductive nitrosylation of the heme-Fe atom is reported; data were obtained between pH5.5 and 9.5 at 20.0°C. Since warfarin is a common drug, its effect on the reactivity of HSA-heme-Fe represents a relevant issue in the pharmacological therapy management. The inhibition of NO binding to HSA-heme-Fe(III) and HSA-heme-Fe(II) as well as of the NO-mediated reductive nitrosylation of the heme-Fe(III) atom by warfarin has been ascribed to drug binding to the fatty acid binding site 2 (FA2), shifting allosterically the penta-to-six coordination equilibrium of the heme-Fe atom toward the low reactive species showing the six-coordinated metal center by His146 and Tyr161 residues. These data: (i) support the role of HSA-heme-Fe in trapping NO, (ii) highlight the modulation of the heme-Fe-based reactivity by drugs, and (iii) could be relevant for the modulation of HSA functions by drugs in vivo.

Cantharidin inhibits competitively heme-Fe(III) binding to the FA1 site of human serum albumin.

Cantharidin, a monoterpene isolated from the insect blister beetle, has long been used as a medicinal agent in the traditional Chinese medicine. Cantharidin inhibits a subgroup of serine/threonine phosphatases, thus inducing cell growth inhibition and cytotoxicity. Cantharidin has anticancer activity in vitro, since it is able of inducing p53-dependent apoptosis and double-strand breakage of DNA in cancer cells. Although the toxicity of cantharidin to the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts prevents its medical use, it is a promising lead compound for chemical modification to develop new anticancer therapeutics. In fact, cantharidin does not cause myelosuppression and displays anticancer activity against cells with a multidrug resistance phenotype. Here, the competitive inhibitory effect of cantharidin on heme-Fe(III) binding to the fatty acid site 1 (FA1) of human serum albumin (HSA) is reported. Docking and molecular dynamics simulations support functional data indicating the preferential binding of cantharidin to the FA1 site of HSA. Present results may be relevant in vivo as HSA could transport cantharidin, which in turn could affect heme-Fe(III) scavenging by HSA.

All-trans-retinoic acid and retinol binding to the FA1 site of human serum albumin competitively inhibits heme-Fe(III) association.

Retinoids are a class of chemicals derived from vitamin A metabolism, playing important and diverse functions. Vitamin A, also named all-trans-retinol (all-trans-ROL), is coverted into two classes of biologically active retinoids, i.e. 11-cis-retinoids and acidic retinoids. Among acidic retinoids, all-trans-retinoic acid (all-trans-RA) and 9-cis-retinoic acid (9-cis-RA) represent the main metabolic products. Specific and aspecific proteins solubilize, protect, and detoxify retinoids in the extracellular environment. The retinoid binding protein 4 (RBP4), the epididymal retinoid-binding protein (ERBP), and the interphotoreceptor matrix retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) play a central role in ROL transport, whereas lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase (also named ß-trace) and human serum albumin (HSA) transport preferentially all-trans-RA. Here, the modulatory effect of all-trans-RA and all-trans-ROL on ferric heme (heme-Fe(III)) binding to HSA is reported. All-trans-RA and all-trans-ROL binding to the FA1 site of HSA competitively inhibit heme-Fe(III) association. Docking simulations and local structural comparison of HSA with all-trans-RA- and all-trans-ROL-binding proteins support functional data indicating the preferential binding of all-trans-RA and all-trans-ROL to the FA1 site of HSA. Present results may be relevant in vivo, in fact HSA could act as a secondary carrier of retinoids in human diseases associated with reduced levels of RBP4 and IRBP.

Drugs modulate allosterically heme-Fe-recognition by human serum albumin and heme-fe-mediated reactivity.

Human serum albumin (HSA) represents an important determinant of plasma oncotic pressure and a relevant factor that modulates fluid distribution between the body compartments. Moreover, HSA (i) represents the depot and transporter of several compounds, both endogenous and exogenous, (ii) affects the pharmacokinetics of many drugs, (iii) regulates chemical modifications of some ligands, (iv) shows (pseudo-)enzymatic properties, (v) inactivates some toxic compounds, and (vi) displays anti-oxidant properties. HSA binding and (pseudo-)enzymatic properties are regulated competitively, allosterically, and by covalent modifications. While competitive inhibition of HSA binding properties is evident, allosteric mechanisms and covalent modifications affecting HSA reactivity are less clear. In several pathological conditions in which free heme-Fe levels increase, the buffering capacity of plasma hemopexin is overwhelmed and most of heme-Fe binds to the fatty acid site 1 of HSA. HSA-heme-Fe displays globin-like properties; in turn, heme-Fe modulates competitively and allosterically HSA binding and reactivity properties. Remarkably, heme-Fe-mediated HSA properties are time-dependent, representing a case for "chronosteric effects". Here, we review the drug-based modulation of (i) heme-Fe-recognition by HSA and (ii) heme-Fe-mediated reactivity.

Ligand binding to the FA3-FA4 cleft inhibits the esterase-like activity of human serum albumin.

The hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl esters of hexanoate (NphOHe) and decanoate (NphODe) by human serum albumin (HSA) at Tyr411, located at the FA3-FA4 site, has been investigated between pH 5.8 and 9.5, at 22.0°C. Values of Ks, k+2, and k+2/Ks obtained at [HSA] ≥ 5×[NphOXx] and [NphOXx] ≥ 5×[HSA] (Xx is NphOHe or NphODe) match very well each other; moreover, the deacylation step turns out to be the rate limiting step in catalysis (i.e., k+3 << k+2). The pH dependence of the kinetic parameters for the hydrolysis of NphOHe and NphODe can be described by the acidic pKa-shift of a single amino acid residue, which varies from 8.9 in the free HSA to 7.6 and 7.0 in the HSA:NphOHe and HSA:NphODe complex, respectively; the pK>a-shift appears to be correlated to the length of the fatty acid tail of the substrate. The inhibition of the HSA-Tyr411-catalyzed hydrolysis of NphOHe, NphODe, and 4-nitrophenyl myristate (NphOMy) by five inhibitors (i.e., diazepam, diflunisal, ibuprofen, 3-indoxyl-sulfate, and propofol) has been investigated at pH 7.5 and 22.0°C, resulting competitive. The affinity of diazepam, diflunisal, ibuprofen, 3-indoxyl-sulfate, and propofol for HSA reflects the selectivity of the FA3-FA4 cleft. Under conditions where Tyr411 is not acylated, the molar fraction of diazepam, diflunisal, ibuprofen, and 3-indoxyl-sulfate bound to HSA is higher than 0.9 whereas the molar fraction of propofol bound to HSA is ca. 0.5.

The five-to-six-coordination transition of ferric human serum heme-albumin is allosterically-modulated by ibuprofen and warfarin: a combined XAS and MD study.

Human serum albumin (HSA) is involved physiologically in heme scavenging; in turn, heme-albumin (HSA-heme-Fe) displays globin-like properties. Here, the allosteric effect of ibuprofen and warfarin on the local atomic structure around the ferric heme-Fe (heme-Fe(III)) atom of HSA-heme-Fe (HSA-heme-Fe(III)) has been probed by Fe-K edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The quantitative analysis of the Fe-K edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) signals and modeling of the near edge (XANES) spectral features demonstrated that warfarin and ibuprofen binding modify the local structure of the heme-Fe(III). Combined XAS data analysis and targeted molecular dynamics (MD) simulations provided atomic resolution insights of protein structural rearrangements required to accommodate the heme-Fe(III) upon ibuprofen and warfarin binding. In the absence of drugs, the heme-Fe(III) atom is penta-coordinated having distorted 4+1 configuration made by the nitrogen atoms of the porphyrin ring and the oxygen phenoxy atom of the Tyr161 residue. MD simulations show that ibuprofen and warfarin association to the secondary fatty acid (FA) binding site 2 (FA2) induces a reorientation of domain I of HSA-heme-Fe(III), this leads to the redirection of the His146 residue providing an additional bond to the heme-Fe(III) atom, providing the 5+1 configuration. The comparison of Fe-K edge XANES spectra calculated using MD structures with those obtained experimentally confirms the reliability of the proposed structural model. As a whole, combining XAS and MD simulations it has been possible to provide a reliable model of the heme-Fe(III) atom coordination state and to understand the complex allosteric transition occurring in HSA-heme-Fe(III) upon ibuprofen and warfarin binding.

Imatinib binding to human serum albumin modulates heme association and reactivity.

Imatinib, an inhibitor of the Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase, is approximately 95% bound to plasma proteins, α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) being the primary carrier. However, human serum albumin (HSA) may represent the secondary carrier of imatinib in pathological states characterized by low AGP levels, such as pancreatic cancer, hepatic cirrhosis, hepatitis, hyperthyroidism, nephrotic syndrome, malnutrition, and cachexia. Here, thermodynamics of imatinib binding to full-length HSA and its recombinant Asp1-Glu382 truncated form (containing only the FA1, FA2, FA6, and FA7 binding sites; trHSA), in the absence and presence of ferric heme (heme-Fe(III)), and the thermodynamics of heme-Fe(III) binding to HSA and trHSA, in the absence and presence of imatinib, has been investigated. Moreover, the effect of imatinib on kinetics of peroxynitrite detoxification by ferric human serum heme-albumin (HSA-heme-Fe(III)) and ferric truncated human serum heme-albumin (trHSA-heme-Fe(III)) has been explored. All data were obtained at pH 7.0, and 20.0 °C and 37.0 °C. Imatinib binding to the FA7 site of HSA and trHSA inhibits allosterically heme-Fe(III) association to the FA1 site and vice versa, according to linked functions. Moreover, imatinib binding to the secondary FA2 site of HSA-heme-Fe(III) inhibits allosterically peroxynitrite detoxification. Docking simulations and local structural comparison with other imatinib-binding proteins support functional data indicating the preferential binding of imatinib to the FA1 and FA7 sites of HSA, and to the FA2 and FA7 sites of HSA-heme-Fe(III). Present results highlight the allosteric coupling of the FA1, FA2, and FA7 sites of HSA, and may be relevant in modulating ligand binding and reactivity properties of HSA in vivo.

Warfarin modulates the nitrite reductase activity of ferrous human serum heme-albumin.

Human serum heme-albumin (HSA-heme-Fe) displays reactivity and spectroscopic properties similar to those of heme proteins. Here, the nitrite reductase activity of ferrous HSA-heme-Fe [HSA-heme-Fe(II)] is reported. The value of the second-order rate constant for the reduction of [Formula: see text] to NO and the concomitant formation of nitrosylated HSA-heme-Fe(II) (i.e., k on) is 1.3 M(-1) s(-1) at pH 7.4 and 20 °C. Values of k on increase by about one order of magnitude for each pH unit decrease between pH 6.5 to 8.2, indicating that the reaction requires one proton. Warfarin inhibits the HSA-heme-Fe(II) reductase activity, highlighting the allosteric linkage between the heme binding site [also named the fatty acid (FA) binding site 1; FA1] and the drug-binding cleft FA2. The dissociation equilibrium constant for warfarin binding to HSA-heme-Fe(II) is (3.1 ± 0.4) × 10(-4) M at pH 7.4 and 20 °C. These results: (1) represent the first evidence for the [Formula: see text] reductase activity of HSA-heme-Fe(II), (2) highlight the role of drugs (e.g., warfarin) in modulating HSA(-heme-Fe) functions, and (3) strongly support the view that HSA acts not only as a heme carrier but also displays transient heme-based reactivity.

Isoniazid inhibits the heme-based reactivity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis truncated hemoglobin N.

Isoniazid represents a first-line anti-tuberculosis medication in prevention and treatment. This prodrug is activated by a mycobacterial catalase-peroxidase enzyme called KatG in Mycobacterium tuberculosis), thereby inhibiting the synthesis of mycolic acid, required for the mycobacterial cell wall. Moreover, isoniazid activation by KatG produces some radical species (e.g., nitrogen monoxide), that display anti-mycobacterial activity. Remarkably, the ability of mycobacteria to persist in vivo in the presence of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species implies the presence in these bacteria of (pseudo-)enzymatic detoxification systems, including truncated hemoglobins (trHbs). Here, we report that isoniazid binds reversibly to ferric and ferrous M. tuberculosis trHb type N (or group I; Mt-trHbN(III) and Mt-trHbN(II), respectively) with a simple bimolecular process, which perturbs the heme-based spectroscopic properties. Values of thermodynamic and kinetic parameters for isoniazid binding to Mt-trHbN(III) and Mt-trHbN(II) are K= (1.1 ± 0.1)× 10(-4) M, k on= (5.3 ± 0.6)× 10(3) M(-1) s(-1) and k off= (4.6 ± 0.5)× 10(-1) s(-1); and D= (1.2 ± 0.2)× 10(-3) M, d on= (1.3 ± 0.4)× 10(3) M(-1) s(-1), and d off=1.5 ± 0.4 s(-1), respectively, at pH 7.0 and 20.0°C. Accordingly, isoniazid inhibits competitively azide binding to Mt-trHbN(III) and Mt-trHbN(III)-catalyzed peroxynitrite isomerization. Moreover, isoniazid inhibits Mt-trHbN(II) oxygenation and carbonylation. Although the structure of the Mt-trHbN-isoniazid complex is not available, here we show by docking simulation that isoniazid binding to the heme-Fe atom indeed may take place. These data suggest a direct role of isoniazid to impair fundamental functions of mycobacteria, e.g. scavenging of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species, and metabolism.

Reciprocal allosteric modulation of carbon monoxide and warfarin binding to ferrous human serum heme-albumin.

Human serum albumin (HSA), the most abundant protein in human plasma, could be considered as a prototypic monomeric allosteric protein, since the ligand-dependent conformational adaptability of HSA spreads beyond the immediate proximity of the binding site(s). As a matter of fact, HSA is a major transport protein in the bloodstream and the regulation of the functional allosteric interrelationships between the different binding sites represents a fundamental information for the knowledge of its transport function. Here, kinetics and thermodynamics of the allosteric modulation: (i) of carbon monoxide (CO) binding to ferrous human serum heme-albumin (HSA-heme-Fe(II)) by warfarin (WF), and (ii) of WF binding to HSA-heme-Fe(II) by CO are reported. All data were obtained at pH 7.0 and 25°C. Kinetics of CO and WF binding to the FA1 and FA7 sites of HSA-heme-Fe(II), respectively, follows a multi-exponential behavior (with the same relative percentage for the two ligands). This can be accounted for by the existence of multiple conformations and/or heme-protein axial coordination forms of HSA-heme-Fe(II). The HSA-heme-Fe(II) populations have been characterized by resonance Raman spectroscopy, indicating the coexistence of different species characterized by four-, five- and six-coordination of the heme-Fe atom. As a whole, these results suggest that: (i) upon CO binding a conformational change of HSA-heme-Fe(II) takes place (likely reflecting the displacement of an endogenous ligand by CO), and (ii) CO and/or WF binding brings about a ligand-dependent variation of the HSA-heme-Fe(II) population distribution of the various coordinating species. The detailed thermodynamic and kinetic analysis here reported allows a quantitative description of the mutual allosteric effect of CO and WF binding to HSA-heme-Fe(II).

Molecular phylogenetic analyses of albuminoids reveal the molecular evolution of allosteric properties.

Serum albumin, α-fetoprotein, afamin (also named α-albumin and vitamin E binding protein), and vitamin D binding protein are members of the albuminoid superfamily. Albuminoids are plasma proteins characterized by a marked ability for ligand binding and transport. Here, a focused phylogenetic analysis of sequence evolution by maximum likelihood of fatty acid binding sites FA1-FA7 of mammalian albuminoids reveals that the FA1, FA2, and FA3+FA4 sites in serum albumins have evolved from the most recent common ancestor through an intermediate that has originated the α-fetoprotein and afamin clades. The same topology has been observed for the whole protein sequences, for the sequences of all the fatty acid binding sites (FA1-FA7) taken together, and for the allosteric core corresponding to residues 1-303 of human serum albumin. The quantitative divergence analysis indicates that the ligand binding cleft corresponding to the FA2 site could be the main determinant of allosteric properties of serum albumins only. In fact, this binding cleft is structurally not effective in vitamin D binding proteins, whereas key residues that serve to allocate the allosteric effectors are not present in afamins and α-fetoproteins.

α-Tocopherol binding to human serum albumin.

Given the ability of human serum albumin (HSA) to bind hydrophobic ligands, the binding mode of α-tocopherol, the most representative member of the vitamin E family, is reported. α-Tocopherol binds to HSA with Kd0 = (7.0 ± 3.0) × 10(-6) M (pH 7.2, 25.0°C). Competitive and allosteric modulation of α-tocopherol binding to full-length and truncated (Asp1-Glu382) HSA by endogenous and exogenous ligands suggests that it accommodates preferentially in the FA3-FA4 site. As HSA is taken up into cells, colocalizes with the α-tocopherol transfer protein, and contributes to ligand secretion via ABCA1, it might participate in the distribution of α-tocopherol between plasma, cells, and tissues.

Mn(II) binding to human serum albumin: a ¹H-NMR relaxometric study.

Human serum albumin (HSA) displays several metal binding sites, participating to essential and toxic metal ions disposal and transport. The major Zn(II) binding site, called Site A, is located at the I/II domain interface, with residues His67, Asn99, His247, and Asp249 contributing with five donor atoms to the metal ion coordination. Additionally, one water molecule takes part of the octahedral coordination geometry. The occurrence of the metal-coordinated water molecule allows the investigation of the metal complex geometry by water (1)H-NMR relaxation, provided that the diamagnetic Zn(II) is replaced by the paramagnetic Mn(II). Here, the (1)H-NMR relaxometric study of Mn(II) binding to HSA is reported. Mn(II) binding to HSA is modulated by Zn(II), pH, and myristate through competitive inhibition and allosteric mechanisms. The body of results indicates that the primary binding site of Zn(II) corresponds to the secondary binding site of Mn(II), i.e. the multimetal binding site A. Excess Zn(II) completely displaces Mn(II) from its primary site suggesting that the primary Mn(II) site corresponds to the secondary Zn(II) site. This uncharacterized site is functionally-linked to FA1; moreover, metal ion binding is modulated by myristate and pH. Noteworthy, water (1)H-NMR relaxometry allowed a detailed analysis of thermodynamic properties of HSA-metal ion complexes.

Pseudo-enzymatic hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl acetate by human serum albumin: pH-dependence of rates of individual steps.

Human serum albumin (HSA) displays esterase activity reflecting multiple irreversible chemical modifications rather than turnover. Here, kinetics of the pseudo-enzymatic hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl acetate (NphOAc) are reported. Under conditions where [HSA]≥ 5×[NphOAc] and [NphOAc]≥ 5×[HSA], the HSA-catalyzed hydrolysis of NphOAc is a first-order process for more than 95% of its course. From the dependence of the apparent rate constants k(app) and k(obs) on [HSA] and [NphOAc], respectively, values of K(s), k(+2), and k(+2)/K(s) were determined. Values of K(s), k(+2), and k(+2)/K(s) obtained at [HSA]≥ 5×[NphOAc] and [NphOAc]≥ 5×[HSA] are in good agreement, the deacylation step being rate limiting in catalysis. The pH-dependence of k(+2)/K(s), k(+2), and K(s) reflects the acidic pK(a) shift of the Tyr411 catalytic residue from 9.0 ± 0.1 in the substrate-free HSA to 8.1 ± 0.1 in the HSA:NphOAc complex. Accordingly, diazepam inhibits competitively the HSA-catalyzed hydrolysis of NphOAc by binding to Tyr411.

Sequence analysis of serum albumins reveals the molecular evolution of ligand recognition properties.

Serum albumin (SA) is a circulating protein providing a depot and carrier for many endogenous and exogenous compounds. At least seven major binding sites have been identified by structural and functional investigations mainly in human SA. SA is conserved in vertebrates, with at least 49 entries in protein sequence databases. The multiple sequence analysis of this set of entries leads to the definition of a cladistic tree for the molecular evolution of SA orthologs in vertebrates, thus showing the clustering of the considered species, with lamprey SAs (Lethenteron japonicum and Petromyzon marinus) in a separate outgroup. Sequence analysis aimed at searching conserved domains revealed that most SA sequences are made up by three repeated domains (about 600 residues), as extensively characterized for human SA. On the contrary, lamprey SAs are giant proteins (about 1400 residues) comprising seven repeated domains. The phylogenetic analysis of the SA family reveals a stringent correlation with the taxonomic classification of the species available in sequence databases. A focused inspection of the sequences of ligand binding sites in SA revealed that in all sites most residues involved in ligand binding are conserved, although the versatility towards different ligands could be peculiar of higher organisms. Moreover, the analysis of molecular links between the different sites suggests that allosteric modulation mechanisms could be restricted to higher vertebrates.

Human serum albumin: from bench to bedside.

Human serum albumin (HSA), the most abundant protein in plasma, is a monomeric multi-domain macromolecule, representing the main determinant of plasma oncotic pressure and the main modulator of fluid distribution between body compartments. HSA displays an extraordinary ligand binding capacity, providing a depot and carrier for many endogenous and exogenous compounds. Indeed, HSA represents the main carrier for fatty acids, affects pharmacokinetics of many drugs, provides the metabolic modification of some ligands, renders potential toxins harmless, accounts for most of the anti-oxidant capacity of human plasma, and displays (pseudo-)enzymatic properties. HSA is a valuable biomarker of many diseases, including cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, ischemia, post-menopausal obesity, severe acute graft-versus-host disease, and diseases that need monitoring of the glycemic control. Moreover, HSA is widely used clinically to treat several diseases, including hypovolemia, shock, burns, surgical blood loss, trauma, hemorrhage, cardiopulmonary bypass, acute respiratory distress syndrome, hemodialysis, acute liver failure, chronic liver disease, nutrition support, resuscitation, and hypoalbuminemia. Recently, biotechnological applications of HSA, including implantable biomaterials, surgical adhesives and sealants, biochromatography, ligand trapping, and fusion proteins, have been reported. Here, genetic, biochemical, biomedical, and biotechnological aspects of HSA are reviewed.

Evidence for pH-dependent multiple conformers in iron(II) heme-human serum albumin: spectroscopic and kinetic investigation of carbon monoxide binding.

Human serum albumin (HSA), the most prominent protein in plasma, is best known for its exceptional ligand binding capacity. HSA participates in heme scavenging by binding the macrocycle at fatty acid site 1. In turn, heme endows HSA with globin-like reactivity and spectroscopic properties. A detailed pH-dependent kinetic and spectroscopic investigation of iron(II) heme-HSA and of its carbonylated form is reported here. Iron (II) heme-HSA is a mixture of a four-coordinate intermediate-spin species (predominant at pH 5.8 and 7.0), a five-coordinate high-spin form (mainly at pH 7.0), and a six-coordinate low-spin species (predominant at pH 10.0). The acidic-to-alkaline reversible transition reflects conformational changes leading to the coordination of the heme Fe(II) atom by the His146 residue via its nitrogen atom, both in the presence and in the absence of CO. The presence of several species accounts for the complex, multiexponential kinetics observed and reflects the very slow interconversion between the different species observed both for CO association to the free iron(II) heme-HSA and for CO dissociation from CO-iron(II) heme-HSA as a function of pH.

Ibuprofen and warfarin modulate allosterically ferrous human serum heme-albumin nitrosylation.

Ferrous human serum heme-albumin (HSA-heme-Fe(II)) displays globin-like properties. Here, the effect of ibuprofen and warfarin on kinetics of HSA-heme-Fe(II) nitrosylation is reported. Values of the second-order rate constant for HSA-heme-Fe(II) nitrosylation (k(on)) decrease from 6.3 × 10(6)M(-1)s(-1) in the absence of drugs, to 4.1 × 10(5)M(-1)s(-1) and 4.8 × 10(5)M(-1)s(-1), in the presence of saturating amounts of ibuprofen and warfarin, respectively, at pH 7.0 and 20.0°C. From the dependence of k(on) on the drug concentration, values of the dissociation equilibrium constant for ibuprofen and warfarin binding to HSA-heme-Fe(II) (i.e., K=3.2 × 10(-3)M and 2.6 × 10(-4)M, respectively) were determined. The observed allosteric effects could indeed reflect ibuprofen and warfarin binding to the regulatory fatty acid binding site FA2, which brings about an alteration of heme coordination, slowing down HSA-heme-Fe(II) nitrosylation. Present data highlight the allosteric modulation of HSA-heme-Fe(II) reactivity by heterotropic effectors.

Binding of δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and diazepam to human serum albumin.

Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug worldwide. Cannabis users also appear to use other psychoactive drugs more frequently than noncannabis users. Here, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and diazepam binding to human serum albumin (HSA) and HSA-heme is reported. THC binds to two different binding sites of HSA (K(d1) ≤ 10(-7) M and K(d2) = 10(-3)M) without affecting diazepam binding (K(d) = 1.2 × 10(-5) M). THC binding to the high-affinity site accounts for the low free fraction of the drug in plasma. Moreover, THC increases the affinity of heme for HSA. Accordingly, the affinity of THC for HSA-heme is higher than that for HSA. THC could bind to FA2 and FA7 sites, as substantiated by docking simulations; nevertheless, the observed allosteric effect(s) suggests that the primary binding site of THC is the FA2 cleft that positively modulates heme affinity. Possibly, the HSA conformational transition(s) induced by THC binding could account for drug delivery to the liver through receptor- mediated endocytosis.

Ibuprofen binding to secondary sites allosterically modulates the spectroscopic and catalytic properties of human serum heme-albumin.

The ibuprofen primary binding site FA3-FA4 is located in domain III of human serum albumin (HSA), the secondary clefts FA2 and FA6 being sited in domains I and II. Here, the thermodynamics of ibuprofen binding to recombinant Asp1-Glu382 truncated HSA (tHSA)-heme-Fe(III) and nitrosylated tHSA-heme-Fe(II), encompassing domains I and II only, is reported. Moreover, the allosteric effect of ibuprofen on the kinetics of tHSA-heme-Fe(III)-mediated peroxynitrite isomerization and nitrosylated tHSA-heme-Fe(II) denitrosylation has been investigated. The present data indicate, for the first time, that the allosteric modulation of tHSA-heme and HSA-heme reactivity by ibuprofen depends mainly on drug binding to the FA2 and FA6 secondary sites rather than drug association with the FA3-FA4 primary cleft. Thus, tHSA is a valuable model with which to investigate the allosteric linkage between the heme cleft FA1 and the ligand-binding pockets FA2 and FA6, all located in domains I and II of (t)HSA.