title: Fullerene water suspension (nC60) exerts antibacterial effects via ROS-independent protein oxidation.
abstract: Buckminsterfullerene (C60) can form water suspensions (nC60) that exert toxic effects. While reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation has been implicated as the mechanism for mammalian cytotoxicity, we propose that nC60 exerts ROS-independent oxidative stress in bacteria, with evidence of protein oxidation, changes in cell membrane potential, and interruption of cellular respiration. This mechanism requires direct contact between the nanoparticle and the bacterial cell and differs from previously reported nanomaterial antibacterial mechanisms that involve ROS generation (metal oxides) or leaching of toxic elements (nanosilver).
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, MS 315, Rice University 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77005, USA.
authors.forename: Delina Y
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Lyon
authors.forename: Pedro J J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Alvarez
mesh_terms: D000332:Aerobiosis / Q000187:drug effects; D000693:Anaerobiosis / Q000187:drug effects; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D001681:Biological Assay; D004579:Electron Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D037741:Fullerenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction / Q000187:drug effects; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism; D010539:Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D013535:Suspensions; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D037741:Fullerenes; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D013535:Suspensions; D014867:Water; D010088:Oxidoreductases