Binding Affinity and Mechanism of Six PFAS with Human Serum Albumin: Insights from Multi-Spectroscopy, DFT and Molecular Dynamics Approaches
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) bioaccumulate in the human body, presenting potential health risks and cellular toxicity. Their transport mechanisms and interactions with tissues and the circulatory system require further investigation. This study investigates the interaction mechanisms o...
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MDPI AG
2024-01-01
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author | Mingguo Peng Yang Xu Yao Wu Xuewen Cai Weihua Zhang Lu Zheng Erdeng Du Jiajun Fu |
author_facet | Mingguo Peng Yang Xu Yao Wu Xuewen Cai Weihua Zhang Lu Zheng Erdeng Du Jiajun Fu |
author_sort | Mingguo Peng |
collection | DOAJ |
description | Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) bioaccumulate in the human body, presenting potential health risks and cellular toxicity. Their transport mechanisms and interactions with tissues and the circulatory system require further investigation. This study investigates the interaction mechanisms of six PFAS with Human Serum Albumin (HSA) using multi-spectroscopy, DFT and a molecular dynamics approach. Multi-spectral analysis shows that perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) has the best binding capabilities with HSA. The order of binding constants (298 K) is as follows: “Perfluorononanoic Acid (PFNA, 7.81 × 10<sup>6</sup> L·mol<sup>−1</sup>) > Perfluoro-2,5-dimethyl-3,6-dioxanonanoic Acid (HFPO-TA, 3.70 × 10<sup>6</sup> L·mol<sup>−1</sup>) > Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA, 2.27 × 10<sup>5</sup> L·mol<sup>−1</sup>) > Perfluoro-3,6,9-trioxadecanoic Acid (PFO3DA, 1.59 × 10<sup>5</sup> L·mol<sup>−1</sup>) > Perfluoroheptanoic Acid (PFHpA, 4.53 × 10<sup>3</sup> L·mol<sup>−1</sup>) > Dodecafluorosuberic Acid (DFSA, 1.52 × 10<sup>3</sup> L·mol<sup>−1</sup>)”. Thermodynamic analysis suggests that PFNA and PFO3DA’s interactions with HSA are exothermic, driven primarily by hydrogen bonds or van der Waals interactions. PFHpA, DFSA, PFOA, and HFPO-TA’s interactions with HSA, on the other hand, are endothermic processes primarily driven by hydrophobic interactions. Competitive probe results show that the main HSA–PFAS binding site is in the HSA structure’s subdomain IIA. These findings are also consistent with the findings of molecular docking. Molecular dynamics simulation (MD) analysis further shows that the lowest binding energy (−38.83 kcal/mol) is fund in the HSA–PFNA complex, indicating that PFNA binds more readily with HSA. Energy decomposition analysis also indicates that van der Waals and electrostatic interactions are the main forces for the HSA–PFAS complexes. Correlation analysis reveals that DFT quantum chemical descriptors related to electrostatic distribution and characteristics like ESP and ALIE are more representative in characterizing HSA–PFAS binding. This study sheds light on the interactions between HSA and PFAS. It guides health risk assessments and control strategies against PFAS, serving as a critical starting point for further public health research. |
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spelling | doaj.art-6c68154cc1714607b9fd516c617e3f062024-01-26T18:41:09ZengMDPI AGToxics2305-63042024-01-011214310.3390/toxics12010043Binding Affinity and Mechanism of Six PFAS with Human Serum Albumin: Insights from Multi-Spectroscopy, DFT and Molecular Dynamics ApproachesMingguo Peng0Yang Xu1Yao Wu2Xuewen Cai3Weihua Zhang4Lu Zheng5Erdeng Du6Jiajun Fu7School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, ChinaSchool of Environmental Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, ChinaSchool of Environmental Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, ChinaSchool of Environmental Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, ChinaSchool of Environmental Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, ChinaSchool of Environmental Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, ChinaSchool of Environmental Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, ChinaSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, ChinaPer- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) bioaccumulate in the human body, presenting potential health risks and cellular toxicity. Their transport mechanisms and interactions with tissues and the circulatory system require further investigation. This study investigates the interaction mechanisms of six PFAS with Human Serum Albumin (HSA) using multi-spectroscopy, DFT and a molecular dynamics approach. Multi-spectral analysis shows that perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) has the best binding capabilities with HSA. The order of binding constants (298 K) is as follows: “Perfluorononanoic Acid (PFNA, 7.81 × 10<sup>6</sup> L·mol<sup>−1</sup>) > Perfluoro-2,5-dimethyl-3,6-dioxanonanoic Acid (HFPO-TA, 3.70 × 10<sup>6</sup> L·mol<sup>−1</sup>) > Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA, 2.27 × 10<sup>5</sup> L·mol<sup>−1</sup>) > Perfluoro-3,6,9-trioxadecanoic Acid (PFO3DA, 1.59 × 10<sup>5</sup> L·mol<sup>−1</sup>) > Perfluoroheptanoic Acid (PFHpA, 4.53 × 10<sup>3</sup> L·mol<sup>−1</sup>) > Dodecafluorosuberic Acid (DFSA, 1.52 × 10<sup>3</sup> L·mol<sup>−1</sup>)”. Thermodynamic analysis suggests that PFNA and PFO3DA’s interactions with HSA are exothermic, driven primarily by hydrogen bonds or van der Waals interactions. PFHpA, DFSA, PFOA, and HFPO-TA’s interactions with HSA, on the other hand, are endothermic processes primarily driven by hydrophobic interactions. Competitive probe results show that the main HSA–PFAS binding site is in the HSA structure’s subdomain IIA. These findings are also consistent with the findings of molecular docking. Molecular dynamics simulation (MD) analysis further shows that the lowest binding energy (−38.83 kcal/mol) is fund in the HSA–PFNA complex, indicating that PFNA binds more readily with HSA. Energy decomposition analysis also indicates that van der Waals and electrostatic interactions are the main forces for the HSA–PFAS complexes. Correlation analysis reveals that DFT quantum chemical descriptors related to electrostatic distribution and characteristics like ESP and ALIE are more representative in characterizing HSA–PFAS binding. This study sheds light on the interactions between HSA and PFAS. It guides health risk assessments and control strategies against PFAS, serving as a critical starting point for further public health research.https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/12/1/43human serum albumin (HSA)per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)multi-spectroscopyDFT calculationsmolecular dockingmolecular dynamics simulation |
spellingShingle | Mingguo Peng Yang Xu Yao Wu Xuewen Cai Weihua Zhang Lu Zheng Erdeng Du Jiajun Fu Binding Affinity and Mechanism of Six PFAS with Human Serum Albumin: Insights from Multi-Spectroscopy, DFT and Molecular Dynamics Approaches Toxics human serum albumin (HSA) per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) multi-spectroscopy DFT calculations molecular docking molecular dynamics simulation |
title | Binding Affinity and Mechanism of Six PFAS with Human Serum Albumin: Insights from Multi-Spectroscopy, DFT and Molecular Dynamics Approaches |
title_full | Binding Affinity and Mechanism of Six PFAS with Human Serum Albumin: Insights from Multi-Spectroscopy, DFT and Molecular Dynamics Approaches |
title_fullStr | Binding Affinity and Mechanism of Six PFAS with Human Serum Albumin: Insights from Multi-Spectroscopy, DFT and Molecular Dynamics Approaches |
title_full_unstemmed | Binding Affinity and Mechanism of Six PFAS with Human Serum Albumin: Insights from Multi-Spectroscopy, DFT and Molecular Dynamics Approaches |
title_short | Binding Affinity and Mechanism of Six PFAS with Human Serum Albumin: Insights from Multi-Spectroscopy, DFT and Molecular Dynamics Approaches |
title_sort | binding affinity and mechanism of six pfas with human serum albumin insights from multi spectroscopy dft and molecular dynamics approaches |
topic | human serum albumin (HSA) per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) multi-spectroscopy DFT calculations molecular docking molecular dynamics simulation |
url | https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/12/1/43 |
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