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Updated: May 31, 2026

Study of the Functions and Activities of Neuronal K-Cl Co-Transporter KCC2 Using Western Blotting
Published on: December 9, 2022
Dual pH- and Concentration-Dependent K+ Transporter with Auto-Regulation and Anticancer Activity
Yaqi Wu1,2,3, Cong Li1,2, Canhong Zhu1
1College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Organosilicon Chemistry and Material Technology, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China.
Abstract:
Artificial ion transporters with integrated selectivity and stimuli responsiveness remain challenging to design. Herein, we report a highly efficient 18-crown-6-ether-derived K+ carrier (EC50(K+) = 0.28 μM, 0.14 mol % relative to lipid), governed by a pH- and concentration-dependent self-regulatory mechanism centered on host-guest interaction through amino group functionalization. This minimalist design enables pH-gated ion transport with enhanced K+/Na+ selectivity (R K+/R Na+ = 7.2). Furthermore, the carrier acts as a potent ionic perturbagen, disrupting cytosolic K+ homeostasis and efficiently triggering mitochondria-associated apoptosis, which underscores its potential as an anticancer agent. This work demonstrates that built-in dynamic control is key to intelligent function in minimalist transmembrane systems.
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