Probing the secondary structure of bovine serum albumin during heat-induced denaturation using mid-infrared fiberoptic sensors

Analyst. 2015 Feb 7;140(3):765-70. doi: 10.1039/c4an01495b.

Abstract

Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy using a special waveguide based on a silver halide fiber was used for probing the heat-induced secondary structure and conformation changes of bovine serum albumin (BSA). From the secondary derivative and the curve fitting of the obtained ATR-FTIR spectra, the changes of the BSA secondary structure with temperature were clearly identified. Two different thermal denaturation temperature ranges (i.e., 50-52 and 80-82 °C, at which a change of the protein structure occurred) were determined, while only one denaturation temperature was previously identified via classical FTIR measurements. Additionally, taking advantage of two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy more detailed information on changes of the protein secondary structure was revealed. The developed method facilitates in situ, sensitive, and more in-depth probing of protein secondary structures, which represents a significant advancement compared to conventional characterization methods.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods*
  • Cattle
  • Fiber Optic Technology / methods*
  • Hot Temperature
  • Protein Denaturation
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Serum Albumin, Bovine / chemistry*
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared / methods*

Substances

  • Serum Albumin, Bovine