Induced-fit expansion and contraction of a self-assembled nanocube finely responding to neutral and anionic guests

Yi-Yang Zhan, Tatsuo Kojima, Takashi Nakamura, Toshihiro Takahashi, Satoshi Takahashi, Yohei Haketa, Yoshiaki Shoji, Hiromitsu Maeda, Takanori Fukushima and Shuichi Hiraoka ()
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Yi-Yang Zhan: The University of Tokyo
Tatsuo Kojima: The University of Tokyo
Takashi Nakamura: The University of Tokyo
Toshihiro Takahashi: The University of Tokyo
Satoshi Takahashi: The University of Tokyo
Yohei Haketa: Ritsumeikan University
Yoshiaki Shoji: Tokyo Institute of Technology
Hiromitsu Maeda: Ritsumeikan University
Takanori Fukushima: Tokyo Institute of Technology
Shuichi Hiraoka: The University of Tokyo

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-6

Abstract: Abstract Induced-fit or conformational selection is of profound significance in biological regulation. Biological receptors alter their conformation to respond to the shape and electrostatic surfaces of guest molecules. Here we report a water-soluble artificial molecular host that can sensitively respond to the size, shape, and charged state of guest molecules. The molecular host, i.e. nanocube, is an assembled structure consisting of six gear-shaped amphiphiles (GSAs). This nanocube can expand or contract its size upon the encapsulation of neutral and anionic guest molecules with a volume ranging from 74 to 535 Å3 by induced-fit. The responding property of this nanocube, reminiscent of a feature of biological molecules, arises from the fact that the GSAs in the nanocubes are connected to each other only through the hydrophobic effect and very weak intermolecular interactions such as van der Waals and cation-π interactions.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06874-y

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