[Interaction of tributyltin (TBT) compound and bovine serum albumin (BSA)].

Tributyltin (TBT) compound is one of the main components of antifouling paint for boats and ships. The interaction of TBT compound and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated by ultraviolet, fluorescence and circular dichroism (CD) spectra. The influences of concentration, acidity and organic solvent were also studied. The results showed that the interaction of TBT and BSA was dual, showing not only the hydrophobic actions of butyl groups but also the coordination action of tin cation with BSA molecule, which resulted in the exposures of aromatic amino acids residues of tryptophane and tyrosine in BSA molecule, the destruction of BSA secondary structure, the decrease in alpha-helix content, and the transformation of the conformation.