Conformational changes involved in thermal aggregation processes of bovine serum albumin

We report a kinetic study on thermal aggregation process of the model protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) in low concentration regime. Aim of this study is to provide information on relationship between conformational changes and initial step of aggregation. The experimental approach is based on steady-state fluorescence spectra of the two tryptophans located in two different domains, in way to study conformational changes in the surrounding of these residues. We also follow emission spectra of Fluorescein-5-Maleimide dye bound to the single free cysteine of BSA. Complementary information on the extent of aggregation and on the structural changes is obtained by Rayleigh scattering and circular dichroism measurements. These data contribute to clarify the connection between conformational changes at tertiary and secondary structure level during the aggregation and how the different domains are involved. We also discuss the relevant role played by cysteine 34 in the aggregation pathways. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.