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Molecular Swings as Highly Active Ion Transporters
Author(s) -
Ren Changliang,
Chen Feng,
Ye Ruijuan,
Ong Yong Siang,
Lu Hongfang,
Lee Su Seong,
Ying Jackie Y.,
Zeng Huaqiang
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201901833
Subject(s) - ion , chemistry , ion transporter , ion channel , membrane , lipid bilayer , biophysics , biochemistry , organic chemistry , biology , receptor
Ions are transported across membrane mostly via carrier or channel mechanisms. Herein, a unique class of molecular‐machine‐inspired membrane transporters, termed molecular swings is reported that utilize a previously unexplored swing mechanism for promoting ion transport in a highly efficient manner. In particular, the molecular swing, which carries a 15‐crown‐5 unit as the ion‐binding and transporting unit, exhibits extremely high ion‐transport activities with EC 50 values of 46 n m (a channel:lipid molar ratio of 1:4800 or 0.021 mol % relative to lipid) and 110 n m for K + and Na + ions, respectively. Remarkably, such ion transport activities remain high in a cholesterol‐rich environment, with EC 50 values of 130 (0.045 mol % relative to lipid/cholesterol) and 326 n m for K + and Na + ions, respectively.