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

Yue Sun, Junkai Ma, Fan Zhang, Fei Zhu, Yuxiao Mei, Lu Liu, Demei Tian and Haibing Li ()
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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

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-6

Abstract: 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.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00330-z

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