Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a nephrotoxic mycotoxin. Roasting of OTA-contaminated coffee results in the formation of 2'R-ochratoxin A (2'R-OTA), which appears in the blood of coffee drinkers. Human serum albumin (HSA) binds 2'R-OTA (and OTA) with high affinity; therefore, albumin may influence the tissue uptake and elimination of ochratoxins. We aimed to investigate the binding site of 2'R-OTA (verses OTA) in HSA and the displacing effects of site markers to explore which molecules can interfere with its albumin-binding. Affinity of 2'R-OTA toward albumins from various species (human, bovine, porcine and rat) was tested to evaluate the interspecies differences regarding 2'R-OTA-albumin interaction. Thermodynamic studies were performed to give a deeper insight into the molecular background of the complex formation. Besides fluorescence spectroscopic and modeling studies, effects of HSA, and fetal bovine serum on the cytotoxicity of 2'R-OTA and OTA were tested in MDCK kidney cell line in order to demonstrate the influence of albumin-binding on the cellular uptake of ochratoxins. Site markers displaced more effectively 2'R-OTA than OTA from HSA. Fluorescence and binding constants of 2'R-OTA-albumin and OTA-albumin complexes showed different tendencies. Albumin significantly decreased the cytotoxicity of ochratoxins. 2'R-OTA, even at sub-toxic concentrations, increased the toxic action of OTA.
Keywords: 2′R-ochratoxin A; albumin-ligand interaction; cellular toxicity; ochratoxin A; serum albumin; species differences.