Ionophore constructed from non-covalent assembly of a G-quadruplex and liponucleoside transports K⁺-ion across biological membranes.

ABSTRACT: The selective transport of ions across cell membranes, controlled by membrane proteins, is critical for a living organism. DNA-based systems have emerged as promising artificial ion transporters. However, the development of stable and selective artificial ion transporters remains a formidable task. We herein delineate the construction of an artificial ionophore using a telomeric DNA G-quadruplex (h-TELO) and a lipophilic guanosine (MG). MG stabilizes h-TELO by non-covalent interactions and, along with the lipophilic side chain, promotes the insertion of h-TELO within the hydrophobic lipid membrane. Fluorescence assays, electrophysiology measurements and molecular dynamics simulations reveal that MG/h-TELO preferentially transports K⁺-ions in a stimuli-responsive manner. The pref

SUBMITTER: Debnath M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6981123 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature