A Molecular Cable Car for Transmembrane Ion Transport

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.

Keywords: crown ethers; ion channels; mechanically interlocked molecules; molecular machines; rotaxanes.