Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 5, 2025
Selection of Transporter-Targeted Inhibitory Nanobodies by Solid-Supported-Membrane SSM-Based Electrophysiology
Published on: May 3, 2021
Biological applications of synthetic anion transporters
Nasim Akhtar1, Oindrila Biswas, Debasis Manna
1Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam, India. dmanna@iitg.ac.in.
Abstract:
The use of synthetic ion transporters for alteration of the concentration of ions across cell membranes has drawn attention from scientists over the last two decades. This ion transport property has been sensibly used to reduce the viability of cancer cells mainly due to the disruption of their ion homeostasis, leading to the perturbation of their abnormal pH gradient. The use of the proanionophore strategy has been recently adopted to increase cellular deliverability and reduce unwanted cytotoxicity towards normal cells. Meanwhile, various anionophores exhibiting non-toxic behavior in epithelial cells have shown a great propensity to be used as a putative treatment for channelopathies like cystic fibrosis. Anionophores with Cl- ion transport mediated antibacterial activities have also been successfully used against clinically relevant bacterial strains, many of which are tolerant towards commercial antibiotics. Recent developments in the chloride ion transport mediated biological activities of anionophores have been mainly discussed in this article. It also highlights other aspects, such as design criteria, targeted delivery options, and others, which can be useful for the further development of selective anionophores for specific biological applications.
Insights
Synthetic anionophores offer new therapeutic avenues by disrupting cancer cell ion balance and treating channelopathies. These ion transporters show promise in combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria and improving drug delivery.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Medicinal Chemistry
Background:
- Synthetic ion transporters, particularly anionophores, are increasingly utilized for modulating ion concentrations across cell membranes.
- Their ability to disrupt cellular ion homeostasis has shown potential in targeting cancer cells by perturbing pH gradients.
- Anionophores are being explored for therapeutic applications in channelopathies and as antibacterial agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in the biological activities of anionophores, focusing on chloride ion transport.
- To discuss the design criteria and targeted delivery strategies for developing selective anionophores.
- To highlight the potential of anionophores in cancer therapy, channelopathies, and combating antibiotic resistance.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent developments in anionophore research.
- Analysis of studies on anionophore-mediated ion transport and biological effects.
- Discussion of design principles and delivery systems for anionophores.
Main Results:
- Anionophores can reduce cancer cell viability by disrupting ion homeostasis and pH gradients.
- Proanionophore strategies enhance cellular delivery and reduce off-target toxicity.
- Anionophores show efficacy against channelopathies like cystic fibrosis and possess antibacterial activity against resistant strains.
Conclusions:
- Anionophores represent a promising class of molecules with diverse therapeutic applications.
- Further development focusing on selective design and targeted delivery can enhance their clinical utility.
- Anionophores offer a potential solution for challenging diseases including cancer, cystic fibrosis, and antibiotic-resistant infections.
More Related Videos
07:38Functional Characterization of Na+/H+ Exchangers of Intracellular Compartments Using Proton-killing Selection to Express Them at the Plasma Membrane
Published on: March 30, 2015
12:48Measuring Cation Transport by Na,K- and H,K-ATPase in Xenopus Oocytes by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry: An Alternative to Radioisotope Assays
Published on: February 19, 2013
Related Concept Videos
01:14Active Transport
Primary active transporters, like Na+, K+ and -ATPase, directly utilize ATP to move ions across the membrane. These transporters play significant roles in various physiological processes. For instance, Na+, K+ and -ATPase maintain...
01:17Pore Transport and Ion-Pair Transport
Pore transport, also known as convective transport, is a process where small molecules like urea, water, and sugars rapidly cross cell membranes as though there were channels or pores in the membrane. Although direct microscopic evidence is limited but the concept of pores or channels is widely accepted based on physiological evidence. Despite the lack of direct...
01:31ABC Transporters: Exporter
01:27ABC Transporters: Importer
In bacteria, based on the number of transmembrane helices and the chemical nature of their substrates, the ABC importers can be divided into three types:
01:44The Significance of Membrane Transport
Transporters facilitate either an active or passive movement of solutes. They can allow a single-molecule transport down its...
01:31Membrane Transporters
Transporters are mainly composed of alpha-helices, built from bundles of ten or more helices traversing the plasma membrane. The solute-binding sites are located midway, where some of the helices are broken or distorted, making space for the binding site through...