Binding of brucine to human serum albumin

The feature of brucine binding to human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated via fluorescence and UV/vis absorption spectroscopy. The results revealed that brucine caused the fluorescence quenching of HSA by the formation of brucine–HSA complex. The hydrophobic interaction plays a major role in stabilizing the complex; the binding site number n and apparent binding constant KA, corresponding thermodynamic parameters the free energy change (ΔG), enthalpy change (ΔH) and entropy change (ΔS) at different temperatures were calculated. The distance r between donor (HSA) and acceptor (brucine) was obtained according to fluorescence resonance energy transfer. The effect of brucine on the conformation of HSA was analyzed using synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy and UV/vis absorption spectroscopy.