Fluorescence Investigation on the Interaction of a Prevalent Competitive Fluorescent Probe with Entomic Odorant Binding Protein

In recent years, one prevalent competitive fluorescent probe, N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine (1-NPN), was frequently utilized to measure the binding affinity of entomic odorant binding proteins (OBPs) with diverse plant volatiles or pheromones. Nevertheless, the details and model of the binding interaction are still largely unknown, although it is vital to investigate the physiological function of OBPs. Here we studied the binding interaction between 1-NPN and OBP2, a recombinant OBP from eastern honeybee, Apis cerana, by the combination of fluorescence quenching spectra, synchronous fluorescence spectra, ultraviolet spectra, circular dichroism spectra, and molecular docking. The Stern–Volmer curve of the fluorescence quenching of OBP2 by 1-NPN indicated it was a static quenching mechanism, and the binding constants and binding number were determined, respectively. Based on the Förster theory of nonradiation energy transfer (FRET), the binding distance was calculated, and the intrinsic fluorescent energy was predicted to transfer from the donor OBP2 to the acceptor 1-NPN. Synchronous fluorescence spectra and circular dichroism spectra were used to investigate the conformational change in binding progress. The thermodynamic parameters showed that the interaction was mainly driven by hydrophobic force, which was validated by the molecular docking; meanwhile, the binding mode was revealed and one hydrogen bond was found between the nitrogen atom of 1-NPN and Glu29 of OBP2.