Possible mechanisms of fullerene C₆₀ antioxidant action.
Novel mechanism of antioxidant activity of buckminsterfullerene C₆₀ based on protons absorbing and mild uncoupling of mitochondrial respiration and phosphorylation was postulated. In the present study we confirm this hypothesis using computer modeling based on Density Functional Theory. Fullerene's geroprotective activity is sufficiently higher than those of the most powerful reactive oxygen species scavengers. We propose here that C₆₀ has an ability to acquire positive charge by absorbing inside several protons and this complex could penetrate into mitochondria. Such a process allows for mild uncoupling of respiration and phosphorylation. This, in turn, leads to the decrease in ROS production.
Research Institute of Biology, Southern Federal University, Rostov-on-Don 344090, Russia.
V A
VA
Chistyakov
Yu O
YO
Smirnova
E V
EV
Prazdnova
A V
AV
Soldatov
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D037741:Fullerenes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D011522:Protons; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects
D000975:Antioxidants; D037741:Fullerenes; D011522:Protons; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C069837:fullerene C60