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Reversible Zn2+-Activated Channel Transport Through Monomer-Dimer Interconversion of Rotaxane
Zexin Yan1, Shinan Ma1, Wei Wu1
1Key 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.
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 Zn2+-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 Zn2+-responsive terpyridine thread that provides gating control. The monomeric rotaxane functions as an inactive carrier, whereas Zn2+-induced dimerization triggers a switch to a highly efficient channel transport mode. This transition is fully reversible with Zn2+ and competitive ligands. As the first biomimetic Zn2+-gated artificial ion channel, this work provides a novel design strategy for ligand-regulated transmembrane transporters.
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