ABSTRACT
In this study, the binding mode of silybin with pepsin was investigated by spectroscopic and molecular docking methods. Silybin can interact with pepsin to form a silybin-pepsin complex. The binding constant, number of binding sites and thermodynamic parameters were measured, which indicated that silybin could spontaneously bind with pepsin mainly through hydrophobic interaction with one binding site. Molecular docking results revealed that silybin bound into the pepsin cavity site. Synchronous fluorescence and three-dimensional fluorescence results provide data concerning conformational and some micro-environmental changes of pepsin. Furthermore, in order to reveal whether the binding process can inhibit the activity of pepsin in vivo, the effect of silybin on pepsin activity in rat was investigated. The present study provides direct evidence at a molecular level to show that exposure to silybin could induce changes in the enzyme pepsin structure and function.
Subject(s)
Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions , Pepsin A/chemistry , Silymarin/chemistry , Animals , Binding Sites , Circular Dichroism , Molecular Docking Simulation , Pepsin A/administration & dosage , Protein Binding/drug effects , Rats , Silybin , Silymarin/administration & dosage , Spectrum Analysis , ThermodynamicsABSTRACT
The interaction of pepsin with chlorogenic acid (CHA) was investigated using fluorescence, UV/vis spectroscopy and molecular modeling methods. Stern-Volmer analysis indicated that the fluorescence quenching of pepsin by CHA resulted from a static mechanism, and the binding constant was 1.1846 × 10(5) and 1.1587 × 10(5) L/mol at 288 and 310 K, respectively. The distance between donor (pepsin) and acceptor (CHA) was calculated to be 2.39 nm and the number of binding sites for CHA binding on pepsin was ~ 1. The results of synchronous fluorescence and three-dimensional fluorescence showed that binding of CHA to pepsin could induce conformational changes in pepsin. Molecular docking experiments found that CHA bonded with pepsin in the area of the hydrophobic cavity with Van der Waals' forces or hydrogen bonding interaction, which were consistent with the results obtained from the thermodynamic parameter analysis. Furthermore, the binding of CHA can inhibit pepsin activity in vitro.
Subject(s)
Chlorogenic Acid/chemistry , Molecular Docking Simulation , Pepsin A/chemistry , Binding Sites , Fluorescence , Molecular Structure , Spectrometry, Fluorescence , Spectrophotometry, UltravioletABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is a cardiac hormone with many biological effects. Hypersecretion may lead to hyponatremia. This study examined the umbilical ANP levels in high risk neonates.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 117 high risk neonates born between June, 2004 and June, 2005 were divided into Simple asphyxia and Normal score groups according to their Apgar's scores. The Simple asphyxia group was subdivided into Mild (n=20) and Severe asphyxia groups (n=17), and the Normal score group was subdivided into Infection (n=25) and Non-infection groups (n=55). Forty normal neonates were used as the Control group. The samples of umbilical cord blood were collected at delivery and the umbilical ANP levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Meanwhile the sodium levels in the peripheral vein were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean umbilical ANP levels in high risk neonates were significantly higher than those in the normal neonates. A more significant increase of the umbilical ANP level was observed in premature infants (1.46 +/- 0.39 ng/mL), and neonates with serious infection (1.16 +/- 0.35 ng/mL) and with severe asphyxia (2.12 +/- 0.46 ng/mL) compared with the normal neonates (0.62 +/- 0.33 ng/mL; P < 0.01). The serum sodium level was negatively correlated with the umbilical ANP level (r=-0.99, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The umbilical ANP levels increased significantly in the high risk neonates, suggesting high risk neonates are susceptible to hyponatremia.</p>
