分析および生物分析技術ジャーナル

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Absorption Spectral Analysis of Zn2+ or Cu2+ Coordination with Human Serum Albumin using Zincon

Koji Matsuura and Ikuyo Sugimoto

Human serum albumin (HSA) is used for mammalian embryo culture in assisted reproductive technology (ART) to adjust osmotic pressure and growth factor concentration in culture media. In human serum, transition metal ions, particularly Zn²⁺, bind to the coordination sites of HSA; thus analyzing the binding of these metal ions may help predict the possible harmful effects of these metals on embryo culture. In this study, we found that metal ions and zincon bound to HSA, and that a complex was formed with the HSA molecule. Using this method, the metals that bind to the multi-binding site of HSA, particularly Zn²⁺ can be evaluated by colorimetry in an ART laboratory. This analytical method is potentially applicable for metal detection in HSA in ART clinics and also for quick analysis of the coordination of ⁶⁴Cu²⁺ with HSA as a probe chemical in positron emission tomography.