Exploring the copper(II)–aminotriazole complex-binding sites of human serum albumin

The potential impact on human exposure to aminotriazole (ATA) and heavy metal in the environment becomes a concerning issue. In the current study, a water-soluble Cu(II)–aminotriazole complex [Cu(II)–ATA] was synthesized. To explore the binding mechanism of the complex with human serum albumin (HSA), their effects on conformation and activity of HSA by multispectroscopic approach and molecular modeling were investigated. Further fluorescent tests revealed that the quenching mechanism of HSA by Cu(II)–ATA was overall static. Meanwhile, the obtained binding constant and thermodynamic parameters on complex–HSA interaction showed that the types of interaction force of Cu(II)–ATA and HSA were hydrogen bonding, van der Waals and electrostatic. The analysis of three-dimensional fluorescence, circular dichroism and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that Cu(II)–ATA induced the changes in the secondary structure of HSA. Molecular docking simulation was performed and docking model suggested that the complex docked into HSA at subdomain IIA. Furthermore, amino group and attractive electrostatic interaction of Cu(II)–ATA greatly contributed to the hydrogen bonding, van der Waals and electrostatic interaction between Cu(II)–ATA and HSA, as confirmed by experimental data.