In the present study we describe the thermodynamics and
mechanism of the permeation of fullerene aggregates through cell
membranes, based on computer simulations. Previous simulation
studies of nanoparticles have investigated the insertion of
individual hydrophobic nanotubes in membranes
15,16
and water
transport through carbon nanotubes
17,18
. Although fullerene is
known to aggregate in water, simulation studies reported so far
have focused on monomeric fullerene and water-soluble
derivatives, and include investigations of fullerene solvation in
water
19
, the interactions between fullerene molecules in vacuum
and in water
21
, the translocation of monomeric C60 across a lipid
bilayer
22
and the interaction between two individual C60
molecules inside a lipid bilayer
23
. Following an earlier
approach
24–26
, we developed a coarse-grained (CG) model based
on experimental partitioning of fullerene between polar and
nonpolar phases, which is the main determinant of permeation
across a lipid membrane
27
. Our work provides insight into the
thermodynamics of fullerene clusters permeation through cell
membranes and the effect of high concentrations of fullerene on
the structural and elastic properties of a lipid bilayer, and
suggests that mechanical damage is not likely to be responsible
for membrane disruption and fullerene toxicity.
20