A highly selective ATP-responsive biomimetic nanochannel based on smart copolymer

Area of Science:

• Biomimetic materials science
• Nanotechnology
• Ion channel research

Background:

• ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels are crucial for coupling cellular metabolism to electrical activity.
• Understanding ATP's regulation of ion channels is vital for normal physiology and disease.
• Artificial nanochannels that mimic KATP channel gating are challenging due to the channel's complex structure and dynamic function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and develop an ATP-responsive artificial nanochannel inspired by the structure and function of KATP channels.
• To investigate the mechanism by which a smart copolymer can translate ATP binding into nanochannel gating.
• To demonstrate a biomimetic approach for creating tunable and reversible artificial ion channels.

Main Methods:

• Designed a tricomponent copolymer system based on poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm).
• Incorporated phenylthiourea for nucleotide phosphate binding and phenylboronic acid for nucleoside binding.
• Introduced a -COOH group to enhance hydrogen-bonding interactions and facilitate conformational changes.

Main Results:

• The smart copolymer nanochannel successfully recognized and bound ATP.
• ATP binding induced conformational transitions in the copolymer, leading to nanochannel gating.
• The artificial nanochannel demonstrated excellent stability and reversibility, mimicking KATP channel dynamics.

Conclusions:

• This study presents the first biomimetic approach to creating an ATP-responsive artificial nanochannel.
• The designed copolymer effectively translates molecular recognition of ATP into dynamic gating behavior.
• The findings offer insights into the mechanism of ATP gating and provide a platform for developing advanced artificial ion channels.