Regulatory peptides are susceptible to oxidation by metallic impurities within carbon nanotubes.
In this article, we show that the redox properties of the regulatory peptide L-glutathione are affected by the presence of nickel oxide impurities within single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that protects cells from oxidative stress by removing free radicals and peroxides. We show that the L-cysteine moiety in L-glutathione is responsible for the susceptibility to oxidation by metallic impurities present in the carbon nanotubes. These results have great significance for assessing the toxicity of carbon-nanotube materials. The SWCNTs were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.
Ambrosi
Adriano
A
Biomaterials Center, National Institute for Materials Science, 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044, Japan.
Pumera
Martin
M
D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000737:chemistry*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008956:Models, Chemical; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry*; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman / Q000379:methods
D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D010455:Peptides; D002244:Carbon; D005978:Glutathione