Transmembrane pores formed by synthetic p-octiphenyl beta-barrels with internal carboxylate clusters: regulation of ion transport by pH and Mg(2+)- complexed 8-aminonaphthalene-1,3,6-trisulfonate.

ABSTRACT: Design, synthesis, and study of a synthetic barrel-stave supramolecule with p-octiphenyl "staves," beta-sheet "hoops," and hydrophobic exterior as well as internal carboxylate clusters are reported. Ion transport experiments indicate the formation of transmembrane pores at 5 < pH < 7 with nanomolar activity. Blockage of dye efflux from spherical bilayers by external Mg(OAc)(2) and internal 8-aminonaphthalene-1,3,6-trisulfonate is suggestive for weakly cooperative (n = 1.16) formation of aspartate-Mg(2+)-8-aminonaphthalene-1,3,6-trisulfonate complexes within the barrel-stave supramolecule (K(D) = 2.9 mM). Corroborative evidence from structural studies by circular dichroism spectroscopy is provided and discussed with emphasis of the importance of internal charge repulsion for pore formation

SUBMITTER: Das G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC122743 | biostudies-literature | 2002 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature