Tilting and Tumbling in Transmembrane Anion Carriers: Activity Tuning through n-Alkyl Substitution.

ABSTRACT: Anion transport by synthetic carriers (anionophores) holds promise for medical applications, especially the treatment of cystic fibrosis. Among the factors which determine carrier activity, the size and disposition of alkyl groups is proving remarkably important. Herein we describe a series of dithioureidodecalin anionophores, in which alkyl substituents on one face are varied from C₀ to C₁₀ in two-carbon steps. Activities increase then decrease as the chain length grows, peaking quite sharply at C₆ . Molecular dynamics simulations showed the transporter chloride complexes releasing chloride as they approach the membrane-aqueous interface. The free transporter then stays at the interface, adopting an orientation that depends on the alkyl substituent. If chl

SUBMITTER: Edwards SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5064602 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature