Ion permeation by a folded multiblock amphiphilic oligomer achieved by hierarchical construction of self-assembled nanopores

J Am Chem Soc. 2012 Dec 5;134(48):19788-94. doi: 10.1021/ja308342g. Epub 2012 Nov 20.

Abstract

A multiblock amphiphilic molecule 1, with a tetrameric alternating sequence of hydrophilic and hydrophobic units, adopts a folded structure in a liposomal membrane like a multipass transmembrane protein, and is able to transport alkali metal cations through the membrane. Hill's analysis and conductance measurements, analyzed by the Hille equation, revealed that the tetrameric assembly of 1 forms a 0.53 nm channel allowing for permeation of cations. Since neither 3, bearing flexible hydrophobic units and forming no stacked structures in the membrane, nor 2, a monomeric version of 1, is able to transport cations, the folded conformation of 1 in the membrane is likely essential for realizing its function. Thus, function and hierarchically formed higher-order structures of 1, is strongly correlated with each other like proteins and other biological macromolecules.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Ions
  • Lipid Bilayers / chemistry*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nanopores*
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / chemistry*
  • Protein Folding
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence
  • Unilamellar Liposomes / chemistry

Substances

  • Ions
  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides
  • Unilamellar Liposomes