Single-Molecule Unidirectional Processive Movement along a Helical Polymer Chain in Non-aqueous Medium.

ABSTRACT: In this work, a molecule "walking" along a single chain of a synthetic helical polymer, which is used as a rail on a substrate in an organic solvent at room temperature, is observed. The walking comprises the unidirectional processive movement of a short-chain molecule along a chiral helical chain in 3 nm steps, driven by Brownian motion and a tapping effect of the atomic force microscopy tip based on a flash ratchet mechanism. Furthermore, the rail consists of a long-chain substituted phenylacetylene polymer with pendant cholesteryl groups, along which the short-chain molecule can walk as a result of van der Waals interactions. The macromolecular motion is videoed using a fast-scanning atomic force microscope, and additionally, this phenomenon is also simulated by all-atom molecular dynam

SUBMITTER: Shinohara KI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9558460 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature