Fullerene derivatives that modulate nitric oxide synthase and clamodulin activity

摘要

This invention provides novel fullerene derivatives, particularly fullerene derivatives that are water-soluble, that modulate the activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and/or calmodulin. The invention provides methods for modulating NOS activity and particularly provides methods for inhibiting NOS activity, by contacting one or more fullerene derivatives of this invention with cells or tissue that exhibit NOS activity. In a specific embodiment, the invention provides water-soluble fullerene derivatives that are selective inhibitors of neuronal NOS or iNOS. Preferred water soluble fullerenes have substituents that contain one or more amine groups, amine cationic groups. More generally, water-soluble fullerenes of this invention contain one or more polar, one or more charged or more zwitterionic groups