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Membrane‐Length Amphiphiles Exhibiting Structural Simplicity and Ion Channel Activity
Author(s) -
Wang Wei,
Li Ruiqiong,
Gokel George W.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.200900898
Subject(s) - amphiphile , ion channel , membrane , channel (broadcasting) , function (biology) , ion , simple (philosophy) , simplicity , biophysics , insert (composites) , chemistry , materials science , nanotechnology , combinatorial chemistry , biological system , chemical physics , physics , computer science , biology , biochemistry , organic chemistry , telecommunications , polymer , receptor , philosophy , epistemology , quantum mechanics , evolutionary biology , copolymer , composite material
A number of synthetic ion channels have been reported in recent years that incorporate unusual or sophisticated design elements. The present work demonstrates that extremely simple compounds can function as ion channels (insert in bilayers, exhibit open–close behavior) if they meet minimum criteria. A simple membrane spanning structure may function as a channel if 1) it possesses polar headgroups (is bolaamphiphilic), 2) possesses a “central relay,” and 3) channel function (open–close behavior) must be detected after insertion of the amphiphile directly into the aqueous liposomal or cellular suspension. We show here compounds that are simple spans to which we have given the name “aplosspan” (from the Greek απλoσ + span) that meet these criteria. They are similar to, but simpler than, structures reported in the literatures that incorporate more complex design features.