Highly Selective Artificial Cholesteryl Crown Ether K+‐Channels. Issue 48 (6th October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sun, Zhanhu; Barboiu, Mihail; Legrand, Yves‐Marie; Petit, Eddy; Rotaru, Alexandru
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie international edition. Volume 54:Issue 48(2015)
• Page Start: 14473
• Page End: 14477
• Publication Date: 2015-10-06
• Subjects: biomimetics -- crown ethers -- hydrogen bonding -- ion channels -- self‐assembly; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.201506430
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1433-7851

Abstract

Abstract: The bacterial KcsA channel conducts K + cations at high rates while excluding Na + cations. Herein, we report an artificial ion‐channel formed by H‐bonded stacks of crown‐ethers, where K + cation conduction is highly preferred to Na + cations. The macrocycles aligned along the central pore surround the K + cations in a similar manner to the water around the hydrated cation, compensating for the energetic cost of their dehydration. In contrast, the Na + cation does not fit the macrocyclic binding sites, so its dehydration is not completely compensated. The present highly K + ‐selective macrocyclic channel may be regarded as a biomimetic of the KcsA channel. Abstract : Crown ether ion channels : High selectivity for K + translocation through the artificial macrocycle channels is reminiscent of the conductance states of natural KcsA channels. It relates to the macrocycles binding ability surrounding the K + cations in a similar manner to the water molecules around the hydrated cation in water.