A Molecular Cable Car for Transmembrane Ion Transport. Issue 13 (20th February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Credi, Alberto
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie international edition. Volume 58:Issue 13(2019)
• Page Start: 4108
• Page End: 4110
• Publication Date: 2019-02-20
• Subjects: crown ethers -- ion channels -- mechanically interlocked molecules -- molecular machines -- rotaxanes; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.201814333
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1433-7851

Abstract

Abstract: The controlled transport of molecular and ionic substrates across bilayer membranes is a fundamental task for the operation of living organisms. It is also a highly fascinating and demanding challenge for artificial molecular machines. The recent report of a synthetic transmembrane molecular shuttle that can transport potassium ions selectively down a gradient in a liposomal system makes a small but significant step towards this goal. Abstract : Thanks for the lift, mate ! A molecular machine based on a rotaxane embedded in a lipid bilayer can carry potassium ions across the membrane by taking advantage of the stochastic shuttling motion of its macrocyclic ring.