A Well-Coupled Supramolecular System Accelerates Photophosphorylation

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Supramolecular Chemistry
• Biocatalysis

Background:

• Supramolecular assembly enables integration of multiple components for cascade reactions.
• Graphitic carbon nitrides (g-C3N4) are explored as photocatalysts.
• Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase is crucial for cellular energy production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a hydrogel-based platform for enhanced ATP synthesis using supramolecular assembly.
• To investigate the synergistic effects of g-C3N4 and a dipeptide hydrogel on ATP production.
• To create a system for sustained and scalable ATP synthesis.

Main Methods:

• Self-assembly of N-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl diphenylalanine (Fmoc-FF) into nanofibrils to form a hydrogel.
• Embedding g-C3N4 nanosheets within the Fmoc-FF hydrogel to create Fmoc-FF/g-C3N4 complexes.
• Reconstitution of ATP synthase and lipids onto the hydrogel surface to establish a transmembrane proton gradient.
• Utilizing photo-induced proton generation from the Fmoc-FF/g-C3N4 complex to drive ATP synthesis.

Main Results:

• The Fmoc-FF hydrogel exhibited good electronic coupling with g-C3N4, facilitating photo-induced proton generation.
• A transmembrane proton gradient was successfully established on the hydrogel surface, enhancing ATP synthesis.
• The Fmoc-FF/g-C3N4/ATP synthase-lipid film demonstrated sustained ATP production capability.
• The platform allows for repeated immersion, enabling long-term and repeated ATP production.

Conclusions:

• A novel supramolecular hydrogel platform integrating g-C3N4 and ATP synthase was successfully developed.
• The system effectively enhances ATP synthesis through photophosphorylation via a photo-induced proton gradient.
• This approach offers a scalable and reusable method for sustained ATP production.