Abstract
The advancement in nanotechnology has produced technological and conceptual breakthroughsbut the effects nanomaterials have on organisms at the cellular level are poorly understood.Here we report that carboxyl-terminated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) act asantagonists of three types of potassium channels as assessed by whole-cell patch clampelectrophysiology on undifferentiated pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. Our resultsshowed that carboxyl-terminated MWCNTs suppress the current densities ofIto,IK andIK1 in a time-dependent and irreversible manner. The suppressions were most distinct24 h after incubation with MWCNTs. However, MWCNTs did not significantlychange the expression levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or intracellularfree calcium and also did not alter the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) inPC12 cells. These results suggest that oxidative stress was not involved in the MWCNTs suppressionof Ito,IK andIK1 current densities. Nonetheless, the suppression of potassium currents by MWCNTswill impact on electrical signaling of excitable cells such as neurons and muscles.
Published Version
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