Surface active ionic liquid induced conformational transition in aqueous medium of hemoglobin

The interaction of human hemoglobin (Hb) with surface active ionic liquids (SAILs), 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride [C 12 mim][Cl] and 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium dodecylsulfate [C 6 mim][SDS], has been studied in aqueous medium through various techniques like surface tension, UV-vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The interactional behavior of SAILs toward Hb at the air/solution interface is investigated and various interfacial and thermodynamic parameters have also been calculated. The conformational changes in Hb upon interacting with SAILs have been illustrated from UV-visible measurements in combination with fluorescence spectroscopy. These results indicate that at lower concentration the [C 6 mim][SDS] monomer forms stronger Hb–[C 6 mim][SDS] monomer complexes as compared to [C 12 mim][Cl], whereas at higher concentration [C 12 mim][Cl] denatures Hb more and induces the release of heme from the hydrophobic pocket of Hb. The enthalpy changes were also investigated by using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). The dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements revealed the effect of SAILs on the hydrodynamic diameter ( D h ) of Hb.