REGULATION OF INTRACELLULAR METABOLISM BY BIODEGRADABLE POLYROTAXANES

Cellular response to our designed biodegradable polyrotaxanes was inve stigated in terms of changes in cytoplasmic calcium levels in platelet s. The polyrotaxanes regulated thrombin-induced calcium increase in pl atelets although constituent molecules of the polyrotaxanes showed few er effects on the intracellular metabolism. Further, an increase in me mbrane fluidity of red blood cell ghosts was significantly observed by the addition of the polyrotaxanes. Static light scattering study reve aled that the polyrotaxanes formed a supramolecular association state in relation to the molecular weight of PEG: a loosely packed associati on with a specific molecular shape. From these characteristics, it is suggested that supramolecular level interactions between the polyrotax anes and cell membranes regulate the intracellular metabolism. It is c oncluded that these biodegradable polyrotaxanes can be feasible as tem porarily-controlled bioactivator.