Spectroscopic and in silico insight into the interaction between dicofol and human serum albumin

Dicofol, a broad-spectrum acaricide, has garnered considerable attention because of the potential harm to the environment and various organisms. Herein, this study applied spectroscopic and in silico methods to understand the interaction between human serum albumin (HSA) and dicofol. Fluorescence experiments demonstrated that dicofol formed a stable complex and the binding process occurred in Suldow's site I of HSA. Its binding constant was 2.26 x 10(5) M-1 at 298 K. Van der Waals forces and hydrogen bond were primarily facilitated the interaction between dicofol and HSA (Delta H < 0, Delta S < 0) according to thermodynamic experiments. Additionally, 3D fluorescence and circular dichroism (CD) spectra revealed a few conformational changes in HSA due to dicofol. Molecular docking analysis indicated that dicofol interacted with Ser192, G1n196, Leu481, Arg218, Leu238, and Phe211 via van der Waals forces and formed a hydrogen bond with His242. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation showed that Lys195 and Arg218 residues contributed greater energy for forming the HSA-dicofol complex. MD simulation analysis also showed that dicofol can affect the HSA structure with a reduction in alpha-helix. This research is desired to facilitate a new perspective on the toxicity mechanism of dicofol in the human body. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study revealed that the interaction between dicofol and human serum albumin is primarily facilitated by van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonds, leading to conformational changes in HSA. Molecular docking and dynamics analysis showed specific residues contributing to the binding of dicofol to HSA, with a reduction in alpha-helix observed in HSA structure.