C3-fullero-tris-methanodicarboxylic acid protects epithelial cells from radiation-induced anoikia by influencing cell adhesion ability. (1/247)

Anoikia is a type of apoptotic cell death that occurs in cells that are substrate-restricted in their growth. Buckminsterfullerenes represent a new class of chemical compounds with wide potential pharmacological antioxidant activity. In this report we provide the first demonstration that a water-soluble fullerene derivative, C3-fullero-tris-methanodicarboxylic acid, synthesized in our laboratories, is capable of inducing anoikia resistance in epithelial cells by a mechanism involving a 'trophic' effect on cell spreading-associated cytoskeletal components, i.e. on actin microfilaments.  (+info)

Inhibition of Escherichia coli-induced meningitis by carboxyfullerence. (2/247)

The effect of a water-soluble malonic acid derivative of carboxyfullerence (C60) against Escherichia coli-induced meningitis was tested. C60 can protect the mice from E. coli-induced death in a dose-dependent manner. C60 administered intraperitoneally as late as 9 h after E. coli injection was still protective. The C60-treated mice had less tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-1beta production by staining of brain tissue compared to the levels of production for nontreated mice. The E. coli-induced increases in blood-brain barrier permeability and inflammatory neutrophilic infiltration were also inhibited. These data suggest that C60 is a potentially therapeutic agent for bacterial meningitis.  (+info)

Rapid screening for diuretic doping agents in urine by C60-assisted laser-desorption-ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. (3/247)

This study describes a matrix-assisted laser-desorption-ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry for rapid screening of 12 diuretics in spiked urine. C60 is used as the matrix for MALDI. Diuretics are directly analyzed by C60-MALDI without previous derivatization. The fact that most diuretic molecules contain sulfate groups accounts for why anions of the molecules can be easily desorbed and ionized in MALDI. Using C60 as the matrix is advantageous because of the low background in the low mass range on the negative MALDI mass spectrum. A clear mass window between m/z 200 and 600 in negative ion mode is also obtained. Only a minimum amount of the sample (< 1 microL) is necessary to perform the analysis. The detection limit of diuretics is approximately 0.1-1 microg/mL.  (+info)

Fullerenes: an extraterrestrial carbon carrier phase for noble gases. (4/247)

In this work, we report on the discovery of naturally occurring fullerenes (C60 to C400) in the Allende and Murchison meteorites and some sediment samples from the 65 million-year-old Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary layer (KTB). Unlike the other pure forms of carbon (diamond and graphite), fullerenes are extractable in an organic solvent (e.g., toluene or 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene). The recognition of this unique property led to the detection and isolation of the higher fullerenes in the Kratschmer/Huffmann arc evaporated graphite soot and in the carbon material in the meteorite and impact deposits. By further exploiting the unique ability of the fullerene cage structure to encapsulate and retain noble gases, we have determined that both the Allende and Murchison fullerenes and the KTB fullerenes contain trapped noble gases with ratios that can only be described as extraterrestrial in origin.  (+info)

Taming superacids: stabilization of the fullerene cations HC60+ and C60.+. (5/247)

A new superacid, H(CB11H6X6) (where X = chlorine or bromine), whose conjugate base is the exceptionally inert CB11H6X6- carborane anion, separates Bronsted acidity from oxidizing capacity and anion nucleophilicity in a manner not previously achieved. Reaction of this superacid with C60 gives HC60+ as a stable ion in solution and in the solid state. In a separate experiment, an oxidant was developed such that the long-sought C60.+ ion can be synthesized in solution. The preparation of these two fullerene carbocations is a notable departure from the prevalent chemistry of C60, which is dominated by the formation of anions or the addition of nucleophiles. The H(CB11H6X6) superacid overcomes the major limitations of presently known superacids and has potentially wide application.  (+info)

Light-independent inactivation of dengue-2 virus by carboxyfullerene C3 isomer. (6/247)

Carboxyfullerene (C60) is known as a photosensitizer for virus inactivation. Its regioisomer with C3 symmetry, named the C3 isomer, could also inactivate the dengue-2 virus without light when the dose of C3 isomer was increased to 40 microM, indicating the possible involvement of a light-independent mechanism. Further analysis showed that the C3 isomer blocked viral replication at the attachment and penetration stages, suggesting that a direct interaction between the C3 isomer and the virion is required for inactivation. The C3 isomer with a bipolar structure showed better lipid interaction and dengue-2 virus suppression than D3, another isomer that contains evenly distributed hydrophilic side chains. Moreover, the C3 isomer selectively inactivated enveloped viruses (viz., dengue-2 virus and Japanese encephalitis virus) instead of nonenveloped viruses (viz., enterovirus 71 and coxsackievirus B3). Collectively, these findings support the hypothesis that C3 isomer suppression of enveloped viruses is effected through its hydrophobic interaction with the viral lipid envelope. Our report, which demonstrates the light-dependent and -independent mechanisms of C60 on viral inactivation, will aid in the development of novel anti-viral agents for use against enveloped viruses.  (+info)

X-ray crystal structure of an anti-Buckminsterfullerene antibody fab fragment: biomolecular recognition of C(60). (7/247)

We have prepared a monoclonal Buckminsterfullerene specific antibody and report the sequences of its light and heavy chains. We also show, by x-ray crystallographic analysis of the Fab fragment and by model building, that the fullerene binding site is formed by the interface of the antibody light and heavy chains. Shape-complementary clustering of hydrophobic amino acids, several of which participate in putative stacking interactions with fullerene, form the binding site. Moreover, an induced fit mechanism appears to participate in the fullerene binding process. Affinity of the antibody-fullerene complex is 22 nM as measured by competitive binding. These findings should be applicable not only to the use of antibodies to assay and direct potential fullerene-based drug design but could also lead to new methodologies for the production of fullerene derivatives and nanotubes as well.  (+info)

Carboxyfullerenes protect human keratinocytes from ultraviolet-B-induced apoptosis. (8/247)

Carboxyfullerene, a water-soluble carboxylic acid derivative of a fullerene, which acts as a free-radical scavenger, was investigated as a protective agent against ultraviolet-light-induced damage in human keratinocytes. First, we demonstrate that carboxyfullerene is not cytotoxic for these cells. In addition, this compound significantly reduces the ultraviolet-B-induced inhibition of keratinocyte proliferation and protects keratinocytes from apoptosis caused by ultraviolet B irradiation in a time- and dose-dependent fashion. Furthermore, the percentage of cells with depolarized mitochondria is significantly lower in ultraviolet-B-irradiated keratinocytes pretreated with carboxyfullerene than in cells provided with diluent alone. Carboxyfullerene also protects human keratinocytes from apoptosis induced by exposure to deoxy-D-ribose, a sugar that causes cell death through a pathway involving oxidative stress. On the other hand, ultraviolet B downregulates bcl-2 levels in human keratinocytes, and carboxyfullerene fails to prevent this effect. These results suggest that carboxy- fullerene protects human keratinocytes from ultraviolet B damage possibly via a mechanism interfering with the generation of reactive oxygen species from depolarized mitochondria without the involvement of bcl-2.  (+info)