Ethylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) as an inhibitor of polyamine biosynthesis in L1210 leukemia cells

Ethylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone), a close derivative of the known anti-cancer drug methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone), is also a powerful inhibitor of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.50), the enzyme needed for the synthesis of spermidine and spermine. There were, however, marked differences between the ethyl and methyl derivatives of glyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) when tested in cultured L1210 cells. The cellular accumulation of ethylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) represented only a fraction (20-25%) of that of the methyl derivative. Moreover, polyamine depletion, which is known to strikingly stimulate the uptake of methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone), decreased, if anything, the uptake of ethylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) by L1210 cells. The compound produced spermidine and spermine depletion fully comparable to that achieved with methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) at micromolar concentrations. Ethylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) was growth-inhibitory to L1210 cells and produced an additive antiproliferative action when used together with 2-difluoromethylornithine. Ethylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) was distinctly less effective than methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) in releasing bound polyamines from isolated cell organelles in vitro. Ethylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) was also devoid of the early and profound mitochondrial toxicity typical to methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone). These findings may indicate that this compound is a more specific inhibitor of polyamine biosynthesis with less intracellular polyamine 'receptor-site' activity than methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone).     

Characterization of the ATP-G-actin aggregates formed at low potassium chloride concentration.

Three bis(guanylhydrazones) (those of methylglyoxal, glyoxal and ethylglyoxal) were compared for their affinity for the putative polyamine carrier and for their cellular retention in L1210 mouse leukaemia cells. All the bis(guanylhydrazones) inhibited equally effectively the uptake of spermidine by the tumour cells, indicating that the compounds had roughly equal affinity for the polyamine carrier. The fact that methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) and glyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) were much more effectively concentrated in the animal cells than was ethylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) was obviously attributable to the finding that the efflux rate of ethylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) greatly exceeded that of the other bis(guanylhydrazones). The rate of efflux of the drugs was slowed down if the tumour cells were treated with 2-difluoromethylornithine before exposure to the bis(guanylhydrazones). These results suggest that intracellular binding of the bis(guanylhydrazones) determines their cellular accumulation.     

Insensitivity of cardiac phosphofructokinase to adrenergic activation in Zucker rats. A post-receptor defect.

Glyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone), the parent compound of methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone), was synthesized and tested for its ability to inhibit the biosynthesis of polyamines. It was found to be a powerful competitive inhibitor of adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.50), yet the lack of the methyl group at the glyoxal portion increased the apparent Ki value for the enzyme by about 30-fold in comparison with methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone). Glyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) inhibited diamine oxidase (EC 1.4.3.6) activity as effectively as did methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone). The cellular accumulation curves of glyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) in L1210 cells were practically superimposable with those of methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone), and the uptake of both compounds was distinctly stimulated by a prior treatment with 2-difluoromethylornithine. The drug decreased the concentration of spermidine in a dose-dependent manner and, in contrast with methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone), without a concomitant accumulation of putrescine. The fact that putrescine concentrations were decreased in cells exposed to glyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) was, at least in part, attributable to an inhibition of ornithine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.17) activity in cells treated with the compound. Under these experimental conditions equivalent concentrations of methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) [1,1'-[(methylethanediylidine)dinitrilo]diguanidine] elicited large increases in the enzyme activity. When combined with difluoromethylornithine, glyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) potentiated the growth-inhibitory effect of that drug. Taking into consideration the proven anti-leukaemic activity of glyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone), its effectiveness to inhibit spermidine biosynthesis (without raising the concentration of putrescine) as well as its suitability for combined use with inhibitors of ornithine decarboxylase, this drug is apparently worthy of further testing in tumour-bearing animals, especially in combination with difluoromethylornithine or related inhibitors of ornithine decarboxylase.     

Microbial metabolism of quinoline and related compounds. X. The molybdopterin cofactors of quinoline oxidoreductases from Pseudomonas putida 86 and Rhodococcus spec. B1 and of xanthine dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas putida 86.

The bis(carboxamidomethyl) derivatives of the molybdenum cofactors in three eubacterial molybdo-iron/sulphur-flavoproteins were examined. The quinoline oxidoreductases from Pseudomonas putida 86 and Rhodococcus spec. B1 contain molybdopterin cytosine dinucleotide. In xanthine dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas putida 86, however, only molybdopterin was found. The bis(carboxamidomethyl) derivatives of all three enzymes were treated with nucleotide pyrophosphatase, but only those of the quinoline oxidoreductases were cleaved into [bis(carboxamidomethyl)]molybdopterin and CMP, whereas that of xanthine dehydrogenase remained unchanged. Dephosphorylation by alkaline phosphatase yielded dephospho-[bis(carboxamidomethyl)]molybdopterin and cytidine from the cleaved molybdopterin cytosine dinucleotide. The bis(carboxamidomethyl) derivative from xanthine dehydrogenase was converted to dephospho-[bis(carboxamidomethyl)]molybdopterin by alkaline phosphatase. Acid hydrolysis of the purified enzymes and analysis of the hydrolysate by HPLC confirmed that compared with the xanthine dehydrogenase both quinoline oxidoreductases contain CMP.     

A novel metallobridged bis(beta-cyclodextrin)s fluorescent probe for the determination of glutathione

A novel metallobridged bis(beta-cyclodextrin)s 2 [bis(beta-CD)s 2] was synthesized and characterized by means of (1)H NMR, IR, element analysis and redox iodometric titration. The fluorescence of metallobridged bis(beta-CD)s 2 was weak compared with bis(beta-CD)s 1 because of the paramagnetism of copper (II) ions. Glutathione was able to form complexes with copper (II) derived from the metallobridged bis(beta-CD)s 2. This competitive complexation with copper (II) may lead to a significant fluorescence recovery of the bis(beta-CD)s. Therefore, a rapid and simple spectrofluorimetric method was developed for the determination of glutathione. The analytical application for glutathione was investigated in NaCl/P(i) (pH 6.00) at room temperature. The linear range of the method was 0.30-20.0 micromol.L(-1) with a detection limit of 63.8 nmol.L(-1). There was no interference from the plasma constituents. The proposed method had been successfully used to determine glutathione in human plasma.     

Investigations into some aryl substituted bis(thiosemicarbazones) and their copper complexes

The synthesis of three bis(thiosemicarbazone) compounds formed by the reaction of benzil with either thiosemicarbazide, 4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazide or 4-phenyl-3-thiosemicarbazide are reported. The compounds were characterised by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and in the case of benzil bis(4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazone) and benzil bis(4-phenyl-3-thiosemicarbazone) by X-ray crystallography. Attempts to purify benzil bis(thiosemicarbazone) and benzil bis (4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazone) by recrystallisation resulted in the isolation of cyclised products that were characterised by X-ray crystallography. The 3 bis(thiosemicarbazone) compounds were used to synthesise both Cu(II) and Cu(I) complexes. The copper(II) complexes were formed by the reaction of the proligands with copper(II) acetate which gave neutral copper(II) complexes in which the thiosemicarbazone is doubly deprotonated, acting as a dianionic ligand. The copper(II)-benzil bis(4-phenyl-3-thiosemicarbazonato) complex was characterised by X-ray crystallography to show the copper in an essentially square planar N₂S₂ environment. The copper(I) complexes were synthesised by reacting the bis (thiosemicarbazone) ligands with [Cu(CH₃CN)₄]PF₆ to give cationic complexes. The copper(I)-benzil-bis(thiosemicarbazone) complex was characterised by X-ray crystallography which revealed that the complex was a dimeric dication. Each of the benzil bis(thiosemicarbazone) ligands act as a bidentate N,S donor to each copper(I) atom, forming an overall helical structure in which each copper atom is in a strongly distorted tetrahedral N₂S₂ environment. Electrochemical measurements show that the copper(II)-benzil bis(thiosemicarbazonato) complex undergoes a reversible reduction at biologically accessible potentials.     

Inhibition of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase and diamine oxidase activities by analogues of methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) and their cellular uptake during lymphocyte activation.

Several congeners of methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) were tested for their ability to inhibit eukaryotic putrescine-activated S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.50) and intestinal diamine oxidase (EC 1.4.3.6). All the compounds tested, namely methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone), ethylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone), dimethylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) and the di-N"-methyl derivative of methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone), were strong inhibitors of both yeast and mouse liver adenosylmethionine decarboxylase activity in vitro. The enzyme from both sources was most powerfully inhibited by ethylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone). All the diguanidines likewise inhibited diamine oxidase activity in vitro. The maximum intracellular concentrations of the ethyl and dimethylated analogues achieved in activated lymphocytes were only about one-fifth of that of the parent compound. However, both derivatives appeared to utilize the polyamine-carrier system, as indicated by competition experiments with spermidine.     

Electrochemical and spectroscopic characterization of new cobalt(II) complexes. Catalytic activity in oxidation reactions by molecular oxygen

The synthesis and characterization of some new complexes with tetradentate Schiff bases derived from bis(salicylaldehyde)etylenediimine, H₂Salen are reported in this paper. The Co(II) Schiff bases complexes investigated are: (bis(5-nitro-salicylaldehyde) ethylenediiminato)cobalt(II), (CoNSalen); (bis(-ethyl-salicylaldehyde) ethylenediiminato)cobalt(II) (CoEtSalen); (bis(-ethyl-3,5-diiode-salicylaldehyde) ethylenediiminato) cobalt(II),(CoDIEtSalen); (bis(,5-dimethyl-3-iode-salicylaldehyde)ethylenediiminato)cobalt(II) (CoDMISalen) and (bis(salicylaldehyde)methylene-p,p′-diphenylene)cobalt(II), (CoSalmbfn). The characterization of the complexes was performed by elemental analysis, UV–Vis, FTIR spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction and cyclic voltammetry. Pyridine (py), present in the solution of complexes in DMF, coordinates to the metal ion in axial position, inducing a significant decrease of the redox potentials. Significant influences have the substituents grafted on ligands’ molecules. The separated complexes evince catalytic activity in the oxidation reaction of 2,6-di-t-butylphenol with molecular oxygen. These complexes seem capable of forming reversible adducts with molecular oxygen.     

Metabolism of bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate in macrophages

To further elucidate the role of bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate in lysosomes, its metabolism was assessed by incubation of intact and disrupted macrophages in the presence of labeled lipid precursors. In rabbit pulmonary macrophages bis(monoacylglycero)P accounted for 17.9% and acylphosphatidylglycerol for 2.6% of phospholipid phosphorus. Major fatty acids in bis(monoacylglycero)P were oleic (47%), linoleic (29%), and arachidonic (6.4%); those in acylphosphatidylglycerol were of similar distribution except for a high content of palmitic acid (20%). When homogenates of rabbit pulmonary and peritoneal macrophages, rat pulmonary macrophages, and human blood leukocytes were incubated with sn[(14)C]glycerol-3-phosphate and CDP-diacylglycerol at pH 7.4, there was labeling of bis(monoacylglycero)P and acylphosphatidylglycerol that correlated with content of bis(monoacylglycero)P. When intact rabbit pulmonary macrophages were incubated for 60 min with [(3)H]glucose and [(32)P]orthophosphate, small amounts of label appeared in bis(monoacylglycero)P and only traces in acylphosphatidylglycerol. In contrast, incubation of intact cells with the (14)C-labeled fatty acid precursors palmitic, oleic, and arachidonic acids resulted in much greater labeling of the two lipids. Labeling of phospholipids was greatest with arachidonate as precursor and least with palmitate; after 60 min, labeling of bis(monoacylglycero)P with arachidonate was 10- and 50-fold greater than with oleate and palmitate, respectively, and was exceeded only by that of phosphatidylcholine. Calculated ratios of labeling of fatty acid to P, particularly those for arachidonate, were much greater for bis(monoacylglycero)P and for acylphosphatidylglycerol than for other phospholipids. This suggests a uniquely high turnover of fatty acids in bis(monoacylglycero)P and acylphosphatidylglycerol and thus a more specific role for these compounds in metabolism of complex lipids in the lysosome.-Huterer, S., and J. Wherrett. Metabolism of bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate in macrophages.     

Synthesis of a new class of polydentate ligands: [bis(2-imidazolyl)methyl] amino-thioether-thiols

A new class of polydentate bis(imidazole)-thioether-thiol polydentate ligands has been synthesized by the reactions of functionalized primary amines with bis(2-imidazolyl)nitromethane. The molecules contain a bis(2-imidazolyl)methylamino group attached to chains of varying length with thiol (3, 23) and thioether/thiol (7,11,15,19) binding sites.     

New efficient sulfurizing reagents for the preparation of oligodeoxyribonucleotide phosphorothioate analogues.

A set of new sulfurizing agents representing disulfides of arylsulfonic acids has been developed for the automated synthesis of phosphorothioate oligonucleotide analogues via the phosphoramidite method. These reagents, such as bis(benzenesulfonyl)disulfide, bis(p-toluenesulfonyl)disulfide, bis(p-methoxybenzensulfonyl)disulfide, and bis (p-chlorobenzenesulfonyl) disulfide, are easily prepared crystalline solid compounds. They are relatively inexpensive, easy to handle, and efficiently convert internucleotide cyanoethyl phosphite to the phosphorothioate triester within 1-2 min. The efficiency of phosphorothioate oligonucleotide synthesis with the use of these reagents is comparable to that of phosphodiester oligonucleotides.     

Interaction of novel bis(platinum) complexes with DNA.

Bis(platinum) complexes [[cis-PtCl2(NH3)]2H2N(CH2)nNH2] are a novel series of potential anticancer agents in which two cis-diamine(platinum) groups are linked by an alkyldiamine of variable length. These complexes are potentially tetrafunctional, a unique feature in comparison with known anticancer agents. Studies of DNA interactions of bis(platinum) complexes in comparison with cisplatin demonstrate significant differences. Investigations of interstrand crosslink formation in which crosslinking of a short DNA fragment is detected by gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions demonstrate that interstrand crosslinks are 250 fold more frequent among bis(platinum) adducts than among cisplatin-derived adducts under the conditions examined. These investigations indicate that bis(platinum) adducts contain a high frequency of structurally novel interstrand crosslinks formed through binding of the two platinum centers to opposite DNA strands. Unlike cisplatin, bis(platinum) complex binding does not unwind supercoiled DNA. Studies with the E. coli UvrABC nuclease complex demonstrate that both linear and supercoiled DNA containing bis(platinum) adducts are subject to incision by the repair enzyme complex. Initial studies using UvrABC nuclease as a probe to define the base and sequence specificity for bis(platinum) complex binding suggest that the specificity of the bis(platinum)s is similar, but not identical, to that of cisplatin.     

Degradation of bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate by an acid phosphodiesterase in rat liver lysosomes.

Bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate was purified from the livers of chloroquine-treated rats and labeled with tritium by a nonreductive catalytic exchange procedure. The mechanism of its degradation by rat liver lysosomes has been examined. A substantial amount of bis(monoacylglycero)P is degraded to monoglyceride and lysophosphatidic acid by a lysosomal phosphodiesterase having an acid pH optimum. Some bis(monoacylglycero)P is degraded to lysophosphatidylglycerol by lysosomal phospholipase A. In contrast, other phosphoglycerides have been reported to be degraded by sequential deacylation in lysosomes. The initial rate of breakdown of bis(monoacylglycero)P is only 10% of the rate observed for dioleoylphosphatidylcholine. [3H]Lysophosphatidylglycerol conversion to [3H]bis(monoacylglycero)P is stimulated by unlabeled bis(monoacylglycero)P, resulting in a futile cycle which allows the resynthesis of bis(monoacylglycero)P from its breakdown product, lysophosphatidylglycerol. This futile cycle and the unusual sn-1-glycerophospho-sn-1'-glycerol stereoconfiguration of the water-soluble backbone (Joutti, A., Brotherus, J., Renkonen, O., Laine, R., and Fischer, W. (1976) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 450, 206-209) may be important factors in the marked resistance of bis(monoacylglycero)P to degradation by lysosomal acid hydrolases.     

Modification of methyl O-propargyl-D-glucosides: model studies for the synthesis of alkynyl based functional polysaccharides

Methyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-2,3-di-O-propargyl-alpha-D-glucoside (2) has been prepared and its structure determined, including its X-ray structural analysis. For comparison the structure of the corresponding allyl derivative has also been determined by X-ray crystallography. Glucoside 2 is a versatile starting material for numerous novel derivatives such as diols, a diester, a diacid, and a dialdehyde. Subjecting 2 to a Mannich reaction leads to a (bis)amine in excellent yields. The click reaction between 2 and benzyl azide furnishes a (bis)triazole as the main product. Deprotection of 2 furnishes a (bis)propargyl ether, which can be converted by the methodology developed for 2 to the corresponding (bis)acetylenes; click reaction with benzyl azide converts 2 into a (bis)triazole.     

Bis(sulfonamide) isosters of mycophenolic adenine dinucleotide analogues: inhibition of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase

Synthesis of novel inhibitors of human IMP dehydrogenase is described. These inhibitors are isosteric methylenebis(sulfonamide) analogues 5-8 of earlier reported mycophenolic adenine methylenebis(phosphonate)s 1-3. The parent bis(phosphonate) 1 and its bis(sulfonamide) analogue 5 showed similar sub-micromolar inhibitory activity against IMPDH2 (K(i) approximately 0.2 microM). However, the bis(sulfonamide) analogues 6 and 8 substituted at the position 2 of adenine were approximately 3- to 10-fold less potent inhibitors of IMPDH2 (K(i)=0.3-0.4 microM) than the corresponding parent bis(phosphonate)s 2 and 3 (K(i)=0.04-0.11 microM), respectively.     

Effect of Bis(guanylhydrazones) on Growth and Polyamine Uptake in Plant Cells

In the present work the effect of several bis(guanylhydrazones) on the growth of Helianthus tuberosus tuber explants was studied. Different aliphatic congeners of glyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) were tested. Most of the compounds displayed an inhibitory effect on growth, and a correlation between the structure of the molecule and the inhibitory activity was observed. Experiments carried out with glyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) and its congeners methyl-, ethylmethyl-, and methylpropylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazones) show that as the total number of side chain carbon atoms in the molecule increases, the inhibitory potency also increases. A depletion of spermidine levels was also found in the explants treated with ethylmethylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone), which turned out to be one of the most potent growth inhibitors. The addition of spermidine caused a significant reversion of the antiproliferative action of glyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone). The effect of these compounds on spermidine uptake in protoplasts isolated from carrot phloem parenchyma was also investigated. Only a slight competition was found when antagonists were present at concentrations 20 times higher than the polyamine, thus suggesting that bis(guanylhydrazones) do not share, at least at low concentrations, the polyamine transport system in plant cells. Received January 10, 1997; accepted January 22, 1999     

QSAR of anticancer compounds. Bis(11-oxo-11H-indeno[1,2-b]quinoline-6-carboxamides), bis(phenazine-1-carboxamides), and bis(naphthalimides)

QSAR have been developed for the anticancer activity (growth inhibition) of various tumor cells by bis(11-oxo-11H-indeno[1,2-b]quinoline-6-carboxamides), bis(phenazine-1-carboxamides), and bis(naphthalimides). Of the seven QSAR, positive hydrophobic interactions are found in only two examples: bis(naphthalimides) versus human colon cancer cells. This is consistent with other QSAR of anticancer compounds where hydrophobic interactions are found to be unimportant.     

Neuroprotective Effects of Bis(7)-tacrine in a Rat Model of Pressure-Induced Retinal Ischemia

The retinal ischemia–reperfusion model has been studied extensively and is an ideal animal model for studying clinical situations such as acute glaucoma and optic neuropathy. Our previous reports showed that bis(7)-tacrine had neuroprotective effects against glutamate-induced retinal ganglion cells damage through the drug’s anti-NMDA receptor effects. Here, we investigated whether bis(7)-tacrine protects the retina from ischemic injury in a rat model. Retinal ischemia was induced by raising the intraocular pressure to 120 mmHg for 90 min. Rats received intraperitoneal injections of 0.2 mg/kg bis(7)-tacrine or saline at 30 min before ischemia, and then twice a day after retinal ischemia. Morphometric evaluation showed that bis(7)-tacrine dramatically reduced the retinal damage compared with the control group. Moreover, bis(7)-tacrine suppressed ischemia-induced reductions in a- and b-wave amplitudes of electroretinography. Protein levels of p53, the tumor suppressor gene known to induce apoptosis, were increased after ischemic injury, and treatment with bis(7)-tacrine reduced the expression of the protein. Our results suggest that bis(7)-tacrine has a neuroprotective effect against ischemic injury in the rat retina, possibly through the drug’s anti-apoptotic effects. Bis(7)-tacrine may potentially be useful as a therapeutic drug in the management of ischemic retinal diseases.     

Studies on the subcellular localization and properties of bis(monoacylglyceryl)phosphate biosynthesis in rat liver.

Phosphatidylglycerol conversion to bis(monoacylglyceryl)phosphate by rat liver homogenate was studied and maximum rates of synthesis were observed at pH 4.4. The distribution of bis(monoacylglyceryl)P synthetase in rat liver subcellular fractions was determined, and evidence is presented establishing the lysosomes as the site of bis(monoacylglyceryl)P synthesis. In addition to phosphatidylglycerol, 1-acyl- and 2-acyllysophosphatidylglycerol also served as precursors for bis(monoacylglyceryl)P with lysosomes as an enzyme source. Bis(monoacylglyceryl)P synthesis did not require high energy intermediates or cofactors. The possibility that a lysosomal phospholipase A with acyl transferase activity catalyzes the formation of bis(monoacylglyceryl)P was investigated. Heat stability and inhibitor studies suggested that this is probably not the case. Lysosomes were shown to be unable to synthesize phosphatidylglycerol, and lipid analyses showed that lysosomes do not contain phosphatidylglycerol or lysophosphatidylglycerol. Bis(monoacylglyceryl)P synthesis in the cell may require the interaction of lysosomes with a phosphatidylglycerol-containing membrane.     

Charge Transport and Recombination in Low‐Bandgap Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cell using Bis‐adduct Fullerene

Charge transport and recombination are studied for organic solar cells fabricated using blends of polymer poly[(4,4′‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]silole)‐2,6‐diyl‐alt‐(4,7‐bis(2‐thienyl)‐2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole)‐5,5′‐diyl] (Si‐PCPDTBT) with [6,6]‐phenyl‐C₆₁‐butyric acid methyl ester (mono‐PCBM) and the bis‐adduct analogue of mono‐PCBM (bis‐PCBM). The photocurrent of Si‐PCPDTBT:bis‐PCBM devices shows a strong square root dependence on the effective applied voltage. From the relationship between the photocurrent and the light intensity, we found that the square‐root dependence of the photocurrent is governed by the mobility‐lifetime (μτ) product of charge carriers while space‐charge field effects are insignificant. The fill factor (FF) and short circuit current density (J_sc) of bis‐PCBM solar cells show a considerable increase with temperature as compared to mono‐PCBM solar cells. SCLC analysis of single carrier devices proofs that the mobility of both electrons and holes is significantly lowered when replacing mono‐PCBM with bis‐PCBM. The increased recombination in Si‐PCPDTBT:bis‐PCBM solar cells is therefore attributed to the low carrier mobilities, as the transient photovoltage measurements show that the carrier lifetime of devices are not significantly altered by using bis‐PCBM instead of mono‐PCBM.