Fatty Acid chain length and its effect on binding to serum albumin

In summary, the experiment tested the fatty acid binding difference of caproic acid and lauric acid to bovine serum albumin using a fluorescent marker called ANS. The results showed that initially, caproic acid bound better than lauric acid at low concentrations, but then lauric acid quickly overtook caproic acid in binding. This may be due to bovine serum albumin having multiple types of binding sites specific to different fatty acids. No equations were used in the experiment.
  • #1
Eshi
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Homework Statement


The background: We performed an experiment testing the fatty acid binding difference of caproic (hexanoic) acid and lauric (dodecanoic) acid to bovine serum albumin. The experiment was performed using a fluorescent marking called ANS(which fluoresces when bound to bovine serum albumin). The results were interpreted as the % intensity verse the [fatty acid] so that the graph could be used to see how the fatty acids increasingly decrease the fluorescence of ANS biomarker, thereby showing that the fatty acids are competitively taking the place of ANS within the binding site.


Homework Equations


none


The Attempt at a Solution


I have found papers http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/ja01548a024, that show that fatty acids bind better with longer carbon chains. however, my data shows that initially at low concentrations the caproic acid binds better than lauric acid, but then after a slight increase in concentration the lauric quickly overtakes the caproic acid in binding.

any chance someone could help me?
 
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  • #2
adding:

is it possible that bsa has multiple types of binding sites (we calculated 5 total sites for ANS) that are specific to the fatty acid, giving us the two different curve profiles of caproic acid and lauric acid?
 

Related to Fatty Acid chain length and its effect on binding to serum albumin

1. What is the relationship between fatty acid chain length and binding to serum albumin?

The longer the fatty acid chain, the stronger the binding between the fatty acid and serum albumin. This is due to the increased hydrophobic interactions between the longer fatty acid chain and the hydrophobic pockets on the surface of serum albumin.

2. How does the length of the fatty acid chain affect the solubility of the fatty acid?

The solubility of a fatty acid decreases as the chain length increases. This is because longer fatty acid chains have more hydrophobic interactions, making them less soluble in water. However, the binding to serum albumin can help increase solubility by forming a complex that is more soluble in water.

3. Can different fatty acids with the same chain length have different binding affinities to serum albumin?

Yes, the binding affinity can vary among different fatty acids with the same chain length. This is due to differences in the chemical structure and functional groups of the fatty acids, which can affect the strength of hydrophobic interactions with serum albumin.

4. How does the binding of fatty acids to serum albumin impact their transport in the bloodstream?

The binding of fatty acids to serum albumin allows them to be transported in the bloodstream. This complex is more water-soluble and can easily pass through the blood-brain barrier, delivering fatty acids to the brain and other tissues.

5. Does the binding of fatty acids to serum albumin have any physiological significance?

Yes, the binding of fatty acids to serum albumin has several physiological significance. It helps regulate the concentration of free fatty acids in the bloodstream, transports fatty acids to tissues for energy production, and plays a role in the metabolism and storage of fatty acids in the body.

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