Computational Analysis of the Silver Nanoparticle–Human Serum Albumin Complex

• Published in: ACS omega Vol. 5; no. 1; pp. 170 - 178
• Main Authors: Hazarika, Zaved, Jha, Anupam Nath
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Chemical Society 14-01-2020
• ISSN: 2470-1343; 2470-1343
• DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.9b02340

Drug delivery in excess concentrations and at not-specified sites inside the human body adversely affects the body and gives rise to other diseases. Several methods have been developed to deliver the drugs in required amounts and at specific targets. Nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery is one such approach and has gained success at primary levels. The effect of nanoparticles on the human body needs important apprehension, and it has been unraveled by assessing the protein–nanoparticle interactions. Here, we have measured the impact of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the human serum albumin (HSA) structure and function with the help of all-atom molecular dynamics simulations (MDS). HSA is a transport protein, and any change in the structure may obstruct its function. The post MD analyses showed that the NP interacts with HSA and the conjugated system got stabilized with time evolution of trajectories. The present investigation confirms that the AgNP interacts with HSA without affecting its tertiary and secondary structures and in turn the protein function as well. AgNP application is recommended in transporting conjugated drug molecules as it has no adverse effect on serum proteins. Since HSA is present in the circulatory system, it may open various applications of AgNPs in the biomedical field.