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A light-regulated host–guest-based nanochannel system inspired by channelrhodopsins protein

Author

Listed:
  • Yue Sun

    (Central China Normal University)

  • Junkai Ma

    (Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei Key Laboratory of Wudang Local Chinese Medicine Research)

  • Fan Zhang

    (Central China Normal University)

  • Fei Zhu

    (Central China Normal University)

  • Yuxiao Mei

    (Central China Normal University)

  • Lu Liu

    (Central China Normal University)

  • Demei Tian

    (Central China Normal University)

  • Haibing Li

    (Central China Normal University)

Abstract

The light-controlled gating of ion transport across membranes is central to nature (e.g., in protein channels). Herein, inspired by channelrhodopsins, we introduce a facile non-covalent approach towards light-responsive biomimetic channelrhodopsin nanochannels using host–guest interactions between a negative pillararene host and a positive azobenzene guest. By switching between threading and dethreading states with alternating visible and UV light irradiation, the functional channels can be flexible to regulate the inner surface charge of the channels, which in turn was exploited to achieve different forms of ion transport, for instance, cation-selective transport and anion-selective transport. Additionally, the pillararene-azobenzene-based nanochannel system could be used to construct a light-activated valve for molecular transport. Given these promising results, we suggest that this system could not only provide a better understanding of some biological processes, but also be applied for drug delivery and various biotechnological applications.

Suggested Citation

  • Yue Sun & Junkai Ma & Fan Zhang & Fei Zhu & Yuxiao Mei & Lu Liu & Demei Tian & Haibing Li, 2017. "A light-regulated host–guest-based nanochannel system inspired by channelrhodopsins protein," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-6, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:8:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-017-00330-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00330-z
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    Cited by:

    1. Dan Zhang & Yongjie Sun & Zhichao Wang & Fang Liu & Xuanjun Zhang, 2023. "Switchable biomimetic nanochannels for on-demand SO2 detection by light-controlled photochromism," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.

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