title: Binding, unfolding and refolding dynamics of serum albumins.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The serum albumins (human and bovine serum albumin) occupy a seminal position among all proteins investigated until today as they are the most abundant circulatory proteins. They play the major role of a transporter of many bio-active substances which include various fatty acids, drug molecules, and amino acids to the target cells. Hence, studying the interaction of these serum albumins with different binding agents has attracted enormous research interests from decades. The nature and magnitude of these bindings have direct consequence on drug delivery, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic efficacy and drug design and control.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In the present review, we summarize the binding characteristics of both the serum albumins with surfactants, lipids and vesicles, polymers and dendrimers, nanomaterials and drugs. Finally we have reviewed the effect of various chemical and physical denaturants on these albumins with a special emphasis on protein unfolding and refolding dynamics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The topic of binding and dynamics of protein unfolding and refolding spans across all areas of inter-disciplinary sciences and will benefit clinical toxicology and medicines. The extensive data from several contemporary research based on albumins will help us to understand protein dynamics in a more illustrious manner.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data have immense significance in understanding and unravelling the mechanisms of protein unfolding/refolding and thus can pave the way to prevent protein mis-folding/aggregation which sometimes leads to severe consequences like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. This article is a part of a Special Issue entitled Serum Albumin. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Serum Albumin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal; ITI Campus (Gas Rahat) Building, Govindpura, Bhopal 462 023, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Uttam
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Anand
authors.forename: Saptarshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mukherjee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D011485:Protein Binding; D011489:Protein Denaturation; D017510:Protein Folding; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012709:Serum Albumin
keywords: Albumin protein; Binding; Refolding; Structure and function; Unfolding