Light-Enhanced Chloride Transport by Thiourea-Appended Molecular Motor

The regulation of solute transport across lipid bilayer membranes is central to many biological processes and is typically mediated by protein transporters that dynamically respond to stimuli. The development of artificial systems that emulate such responsive behavior remains a major challenge. Here, we show enhancement of chloride transport under light irradiation using a Feringa-type molecular rotary motor connected to a thiourea anion-binding motif. The photogenerated metastable state of the motor-based transporter exhibits up to 85% higher activity relative to its dark state, where the transport process itself is gradient-driven (passive transport). Continuous light energy input is required to sustain the more active metastable nonequilibrium state. This work demonstrates application of light-driven molecular motor to facilitate and regulate transmembrane anion transport. Our studies will be of guidance in the development of molecular motor-based strategies that will advance artificial transporters toward dynamic light-responsive systems with spatiotemporally controllable activity.