Flavour compounds affect protein structure: The effect of methyl anthranilate on bovine serum albumin conformation

DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.133013

Authors: Vlad Dinu (University of Nottingham) , Pallab Kumar Borah (University of Nottingham) , Molly Muleya (University of Nottingham) , David J Scott (University of Nottingham; Research Complex at Harwell) , Ryan Lithgo (University of Nottingham; Research Complex at Harwell) , Jacob Pattem (University of Nottingham) , Stephen E. Harding (University of Nottingham) , Gleb E. Yakubov (University of Nottingham) , Ian D. Fisk (University of Nottingham; University of Adelaide)
Co-authored by industrial partner: No

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Food Chemistry , VOL 388

State: Published (Approved)
Published: September 2022
Diamond Proposal Number(s): 22113

Abstract: This study aims to understand possible effects of flavour compounds on the structure and conformation of endogenous proteins. Using methyl anthranilate (a grape flavour compound added to drinks, confectionery, and vape-liquids) and bovine serum albumin (BSA, a model serum protein) we designed experimental investigations using analytical ultracentrifugation, size exclusion chromatography small angle X-ray scattering, and fluorescence spectroscopy to reveal that methyl anthranilate spontaneously binds to BSA (ΔG°, ca. −21 KJ mol−1) which induces a conformational compactness (ca. 10 %) in the monomer structure. Complementary molecular modelling and dynamics simulations suggested the binding occurs at Sudlow II of BSA via establishment of hydrogen bonds with arginine409, lysine413 and serine488 leading to an increased conformational order in domains IA, IIB and IIIB. This work aims to set the foundation for future research on flavour-protein interactions and offer new sets of opportunities for understanding the effects of small compounds on protein structure.

Journal Keywords: Bovine serum albumin; Methyl anthranilate; Flavour; Structure; AUC; SAXS

Subject Areas: Food Science, Chemistry, Biology and Bio-materials


Instruments: B21-High Throughput SAXS

Added On: 27/04/2022 09:47

Discipline Tags:

Chemistry Organic Chemistry Biophysics Life Sciences & Biotech Food Science

Technical Tags:

Scattering Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS)