Fullerene up-take alters bilayer structure and elasticity: A small angle X-ray study

• Exposure to fullerenes (C60) can lead to damaging effects on biomembranes.
• C60 causes increase in the bilayer undulations (∼20%).
• C60 enhances the mean inter-bilayer separation (∼15%).
• C60-incorporation increased the linear expansion coefficient.
• Addition of C60 causes a drop in the bending rigidity of the bilayers (20–40%).

The coupling of fullerene (C60) to the structure and elasticity of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine bilayers has been explored by synchrotron small angle X-ray scattering. Multilamellar vesicles were loaded with 0, 2 and 10 mol.% of C60 and studied in a temperature range from 15 to 65 °C. The addition of C60 caused an increase in the bilayer undulations (∼20%), in the bilayer separation (∼15%), in the linear expansion coefficient and caused a drop in the bending rigidity of the bilayers (20–40%). Possible damaging effects of fullerene on biomembranes are mainly discussed on the basis of altered bilayer fluidity and elasticity changes.

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