Regulatory Peptides Are Susceptible to Oxidation by Metallic Impurities within Carbon Nanotubes |
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Authors: | Adriano Ambrosi Dr. Martin Pumera Dr. |
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Affiliation: | 1. Biomaterials Center, National Institute for Materials Science, 1‐1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305‐0044 (Japan), Fax: (+81)?29‐860‐4714;2. International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics, National Institute for Materials Science, 1‐1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305‐0044 (Japan) |
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Abstract: | In this article, we show that the redox properties of the regulatory peptide L ‐glutathione are affected by the presence of nickel oxide impurities within single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that protects cells from oxidative stress by removing free radicals and peroxides. We show that the L ‐cysteine moiety in L ‐glutathione is responsible for the susceptibility to oxidation by metallic impurities present in the carbon nanotubes. These results have great significance for assessing the toxicity of carbon‐nanotube materials. The SWCNTs were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, high‐resolution X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. |
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Keywords: | electrocatalysis metallic impurities nanotubes peptides redox chemistry |
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