Water-soluble pristine fullerenes C60 increase the specific conductivity and capacity of lipid model membrane and form the channels in cellular plasma membrane

J Biomed Nanotechnol. 2012 Jun;8(3):522-7. doi: 10.1166/jbn.2012.1404.

Abstract

The aim of the present work was the investigation of the interaction of water-soluble pristine fullerenes C60 with bimolecular lipid model membrane (BLM) and cellular plasma membrane (PM). The findings demonstrate that the fullerenes C60 at low concentrations, namely in the concentration range of 1.0 x 10(-4) - 1.0 mg x ml(-1), are preferentially incorporated into the hydrophobic region of BLM, increasing, thus, its specific conductivity and specific capacity. Furthermore, upon interaction of fullerenes C60 with PM, pores or other type of local defects are formed, which are wide enough in order to permit the passage of water molecules across the cell membrane resulting to the externalization of phosphatidylserine from the inner to the outer PM leaflet.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Membrane / chemistry*
  • Cell Membrane Permeability*
  • Diffusion
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Fullerenes / chemistry*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Lipid Bilayers / chemistry*
  • Membrane Fluidity*
  • Solubility
  • Water / chemistry*

Substances

  • Fullerenes
  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Water
  • fullerene C60