Effects of fullerene derivatives on bioluminescence and application for protease detection

The effects of two C-60 derivatives: C-60[C(COOH)(2)](3) and C-60(NH2)(x)(OH)(y), have been investigated on the bioluminescence of humanized Gaussia luciferase (hGluc) for the first time. Utilizing the dual properties of carboxyl C-60 with luminescence quenching and free radicals scavenging, a novel BRET system was constructed for protease detection with high sensitivity.