Penetration of Fullerene C60 Derivatives Through Biological Membranes

Abstract Penetration of fullerene C60 in hydrated molecular‐colloidal form (FMC) and various C60 water‐soluble derivatives (FDs) through membranes of human erythrocytes, platelets and symbiosomes (subcellular organelles of plant origin) were tested. The FDs bearing amino acids induced pronounced depolarization of symbiosome membranes energized with Mg‐ATP. In erythrocytes and platelets incubated in K+‐free medium in the presence of FCCP, FDs with malonic acid pendants promoted acidification of the intracellular medium thereby simulating an effect of the K+ ionophore valinomycin. Dissipation of ΔpH artificially induced on the plasma membrane of these cells was observed in the presence of C60‐γ‐aminobutiric acid which, in addition, strongly stimulated Mg‐ATP‐dependent generation of membrane potential on symbiosome membranes. C60‐Arg was shown to dissipate K+‐diffusion potential on erythrocyte membranes induced by valinomycin. Fullerene C60 used in hydrated molecular‐colloidal form (FMC) also entered symbiosomes and platelets as evidenced by the quenching of the fluorescence of the Ca2+ indicator chlorotetracycline localized in the interior of these cells. These findings provide evidence for ease of permeation of these fullerene‐based compounds through biological membranes from different type cells.