Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes Are a New Class of Ion Channel Blockers

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-12-2003

Abstract

Here we identify a novel class of biological membrane ion channel blockers called single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). SWNTs with diameter distributions peaked at ∼0.9 and 1.3 nm, C60 fullerenes, multi wall nanotubes (MWNTs), and hyperfullerenes (nano-"onions") were synthesized by several techniques and applied to diverse channel types heterologously expressed in mammalian cells. External as-fabricated and purified SWNTs blocked K+ channel subunits in a dose-dependent manner. Blockage was dependent on the shape and dimensions of the nanoparticles used and did not require any electrochemical interaction. SWNTs were more effective than the spherical fullerenes and, for both, diameter was the determining factor. These findings postulate new uses for SWNTs in biological applications and provide unexpected insights into the current view of mechanisms governing the interaction of ion channels with blocking molecules.

Identifier

0346118922 (Scopus)

Publication Title

Journal of Biological Chemistry

External Full Text Location

https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M310216200

ISSN

00219258

PubMed ID

14522977

First Page

50212

Last Page

50216

Issue

50

Volume

278

Grant

R01GM068581

Fund Ref

National Institute of General Medical Sciences

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