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Biomimetic Transmembrane Channels with High Stability and Transporting Efficiency from Helically Folded Macromolecules
Author(s) -
Lang Chao,
Li Wenfang,
Dong Zeyuan,
Zhang Xin,
Yang Feihu,
Yang Bing,
Deng Xiaoli,
Zhang Chenyang,
Xu Jiayun,
Liu Junqiu
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201604071
Subject(s) - macromolecule , lipid bilayer , transmembrane protein , bilayer , transmembrane channels , membrane , chemistry , ion channel , molecule , biophysics , folding (dsp implementation) , small molecule , biochemistry , organic chemistry , voltage gated ion channel , biology , receptor , electrical engineering , engineering
Membrane channels span the cellular lipid bilayers to transport ions and molecules into cells with sophisticated properties including high efficiency and selectivity. It is of particular biological importance in developing biomimetic transmembrane channels with unique functions by means of chemically synthetic strategies. An artificial unimolecular transmembrane channel using pore‐containing helical macromolecules is reported. The self‐folding, shape‐persistent, pore‐containing helical macromolecules are able to span the lipid bilayer, and thus result in extraordinary channel stability and high transporting efficiency for protons and cations. The lifetime of this artificial unimolecular channel in the lipid bilayer membrane is impressively long, rivaling those of natural protein channels. Natural channel mimics designed by helically folded polymeric scaffolds will display robust and versatile transport‐related properties at single‐molecule level.