Temperature dependence on the binding of butyl orange by bovine serum albumin

The binding of 4′‐dibutylaminoazobenzene‐4‐sulfonate anion (butyl orange) by bovine serum albumin has been examined quantitatively by an equilibrium dialysis method at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 35°C. The first binding constants and the thermodynamic parameters for the formation of the first dye anion‐protein complex have been calculated. The peculiar temperature dependence of the first binding constant could be observed. That is, the value of the first binding constant increases with increasing temperature until it reaches a maximum value at approximately 18°C and then decreases with raising temperature. Accordingly, this binding process is exothermic above 18°C and is endothermic below 18°C. Near 18°C the process exhibits athermal reaction. From the thermodynamic data obtained, it is evident that the favorable free energy of the binding is accompanied by an entropy gain and that the enthalpies of the binding vary from a positive (unfavorable) value below 18°C to a negative (favorable) one above 18°C. Furthermore an apparent temperature dependence of the thermodynamic functions was observed. That is, ΔF° becomes larger in absolute magnitude as the temperature increases. The positive quantity of ΔS° tends to decrease with increasing temperature. All these facts can be interpreted satisfactorily in terms of hydrophobic interactions between hydrophobic portions of the dye and nonpolar parts of the albumin.