Research Article
Biophysical Insight into the Interaction of Human Lysozyme with
Anticancer Drug Anastrozole: A Multitechnique Approach
Fahad M. Almutairi ,
1
Mohammad Rehan Ajmal ,
1
Adel Ibrahim Al Alawy,
1
Rizwan Hasan Khan ,
2
and Ali Saber Abdelhameed
3
1
Physical Biochemistry Research Laboratory, Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, P.O. Box 741,
Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia
2
Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
3
Faculty of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Correspondence should be addressed to Fahad M. Almutairi; falrabae@ut.edu.sa and Mohammad Rehan Ajmal; ajmal.rehan@
rediffmail.com
Received 26 February 2020; Accepted 19 June 2020; Published 25 August 2020
Academic Editor: Aggelos Avramopoulos
Copyright © 2020 Fahad M. Almutairi et al. is is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution
License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is
properly cited.
In the present study, we employ fluorescence spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and molecular docking methods. Binding of
anticancer drug anastrozole with human lysozyme (HL) is studied. Binding of anastrozole to HL is moderate but spontaneous.
ere is anastrozole persuaded hydrodynamic change in HL, leading to molecular compaction. Binding of anastrozole to HL also
decreased in vitro lytic activity of HL. Molecular docking results suggest the electrostatic interactions and van der Waals forces
played key role in binding interaction of anastrozole near the catalytic site. Binding interaction of anastrozole to proteins other
than major transport proteins in blood can significantly affect pharmacokinetics of this molecule. Hence, rationalizing drug
dosage is important. is study also points to unrelated effects that small molecules bring in the body that are considerable and
need thorough investigation.
1. Introduction
Small ligands are known to intermingle with protein
molecules readily [1, 2]. Protein-drug interaction studies
are important and central in understanding biological
processes. Recently, such studies are hot spots of mul-
tidisciplinary research [3, 4]. Drug binding to transport
proteins can significantly affect metabolism of drug
molecules. Proteins are versatile molecules and perform
many different functions in the human body. Human
lysozyme (HL) is a small globular protein. HL is found in
secretions such as saliva and tears. It is a model protein
[5, 6]. Ever since its discovery, lysozyme represented a
prototype molecule for understanding the complexity of
the protein structure and function [7]. us, the study on
the interaction of drugs with lysozyme has important
significance. Such studies are useful for providing
information on the structural features of the proteins on
interaction with drugs and to illuminate the therapeutic
effectiveness of drugs [8, 9]. Human lysozyme (HL) is an
important enzyme and is part of the body defense against
many bacteria. HL is found in tears and saliva [10]. It is a
single polypeptide comprising of seven helices and one
beta sheet. ere are no subunits or prosthetic groups. HL
hydrolyze β-1,4-glycosidic linkages between N-ace-
tylmuramic acid and N-acetylglucosamine; these linkages
are present in the peptidoglycan cell wall of bacteria [11].
HL causes damage to the bacterial cell wall by degrading
thepolymer,leadingtoperforationandbacterialcelllyses
[12]. e active site is easily visible in three-dimensional
models. Hydrolysis of the cell wall of bacteria is an im-
portant component of antimicrobial action of HL [7].
Asp
53
and Glu
35
are main residues involved in activity
[13] while many others are involved in holding ligands to
Hindawi
e Scientific World Journal
Volume 2020, Article ID 8363685, 7 pages
https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8363685