Title
A synthetic ion channel with anisotropic ligand response
Author
Takahiro Muraoka, Daiki Noguchi, Rinshi S. Kasai, Kohei Sato, Ryo Sasaki, Kazuhito V. Tabata, Toru Ekimoto, Mitsunori Ikeguchi, Kiyoto Kamagata, Norihisa Hoshino, Hiroyuki Noji, Tomoyuki Akutagawa, Kazuaki Ichimura, Kazushi Kinbara
Year
2020
Journal
Nature Communications
Abstract
Biological membranes play pivotal roles in the cellular activities. Transmembrane proteins are the central molecules that conduct membrane-mediated biochemical functions such as signal transduction and substance transportation. Not only the molecular functions but also the supramolecular properties of the transmembrane proteins such as self-assembly, delocalization, orientation and signal response are essential for controlling cellular activities. Here we report anisotropic ligand responses of a synthetic multipass transmembrane ion channel. An unsymmetrical molecular structure allows for oriented insertion of the synthetic amphiphile to a bilayer by addition to a pre-formed membrane. Complexation with a ligand prompts ion transportation by forming a supramolecular channel, and removal of the ligand deactivates the transportation function. Biomimetic regulation of the synthetic channel by agonistic and antagonistic ligands is also demonstrated not only in an artificial membrane but also in a biological membrane of a living cell.
Full Article
Instrument
V-530, J-820, FP-6500
Keywords
Fluorescence, Circular dichroism, Chemical stability, Aggregation, Ligand binding, Membrane interactions, Protein structure, Absorption, Biochemistry