Binding of clenbuterol to HSA and FTO: a spectroscopic analysis and molecular docking

Clenbuterol (CLB) is a notorious “lean meat essence”, which has harmful effects on human health. In this study, the binding of CLB to two proteins, human serum albumin (HSA) and the human fat mass and obesity associated protein (FTO), have been investigated by spectroscopic and molecular modeling methods. Fluorescence data revealed that CLB could bind to HSA (or FTO) to form a complex. Thermodynamic analysis and molecular modeling indicated that the binding process was a spontaneous molecular interaction procedure, in which hydrophobic interaction played a major role. Results indicated that CLB could lead to some microenvironmental changes of both proteins.