Reversible Zn <sup>2+</sup> ‐Activated Channel Transport Through Monomer‐Dimer Interconversion of Rotaxane
Abstract
Abstract Inspired by natural ligand‐gated ion channels, artificial counterparts are of great interest for understanding biological transport mechanisms and developing bioinspired functional systems. Here, we report a Zn 2+ ‐activated artificial ion channel from a [2]rotaxane. Its key components are: i) a sliding bis(benzo‐18‐crown‐6) unit for K⁺ transport and ii) a Zn 2+ ‐responsive terpyridine thread that provides gating control. The monomeric rotaxane functions as an inactive carrier, whereas Zn 2+ ‐induced dimerization triggers a switch to a highly efficient channel transport mode. This transition is fully reversible with Zn 2+ and competitive ligands. As the first biomimetic Zn 2+ ‐gated artificial ion channel, this work provides a novel design strategy for ligand‐regulated transmembrane transporters.
Article Details
Authors (8)
Zexin Yan
Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry Institute of Fine Chemicals School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
Shinan Ma
Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry Institute of Fine Chemicals School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
Wei Wu
Tianlong Li
Xinyi Dou
Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry Institute of Fine Chemicals School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
Juejiao Fan
Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry Institute of Fine Chemicals School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
Li Zhao
Chunyan Bao
Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry Institute of Fine Chemicals School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China