Multi-spectroscopic and computational evaluation on the binding of sinapic acid and its Cu(II) complex with bovine serum albumin

Researches based on metal complexes of plant-derived phenolic acids have attracted much attention due to their beneficial applications in the development of functional food products, dietary supplements and pharmacology. Binding of phenolic acids with serum proteins greatly influences their pharmacological properties. In this context, interactions of a naturally occurring phenolic acid, sinapic acid (SA) and its Cu2+ complex with a model transport protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA), have been explored by means of different spectroscopic and theoretical tools. Spectroscopic studies revealed that the interaction of SA and its Cu2+ complex with BSA occurred through quenching of intrinsic fluorescence of BSA. Site-specific experimental and docking studies were performed to predict the binding site. The geometies of bound Cu2+ and interacting residues of protein were predicted from a solution dynamics study. Interestingly, the complexation of SA with Cu2+ enhanced the antioxidant activity of SA.