Membranotropic properties of fullerene-containing amphiphilic (co)polymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone

Abstract

The effect of fullerene-containing amphiphilic (co)polymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone (C₆₀/PVP) differed in composition and topology of the polymer chains on the membrane structure of phosphatidylcholine liposomes was studied. Using the method of fluorescent probes it was found that the C₆₀/PVP structures under study are localized in the phosphatidylcholine membrane in the region of glycerol fragments and fatty acid chains of phospholipids. The C₆₀/PVP copolymers form complexes with 2,7-dibromoproflavin and pyrene probes. The effective equilibrium constants of the probe–C₆₀/PVP complexes in aqueous solutions and in the liposome membrane were determined. It is most likely that the fullerene-containing (co)polymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone form complexes not only with fluorescent probes but also with phospholipids of the liposome membrane, which reduces the stability of the probe–C₆₀/PVP complex.