Photo-induced damages of cytoplasmic and mitochondrial membranes by a [C-60] fullerene malonic acid derivative

The biological activities of fullerene derivatives have attracted much attention in the last decade. In this paper, effects of dimalonic acid C-60 (DMA C-60) on cytoplasmic membrane, intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+](i)), and mitochondrial membrane in HeLa cells were studied by using laser scanning confocal microscopy together with fluorescent probes propidium iodide (PI), fluo-3 acetoxymethyl ester (fluo-3 AM), and tetramethyl rhodamine methyl ester (TMRM). The data showed that under laser irradiation produced by a Kr/Ar laser source with a low power less than 1 mW, DMA C60 might induce damages against both cytoplasmic and mitochondrial membranes in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Prior to leakage of cytoplasmic membrane, a transient increase in [Ca2+](i) occurred due to influx of calcium from the culture medium. These data provided some novel clues to explain the mechanisms involved in the photo-induced cytotoxicity of fullerene derivatives.