Johnson TG, Langton MJ. Molecular Machines For The Control Of Transmembrane Transport.
J Am Chem Soc 2023;
145:27167-27184. [PMID:
38062763 PMCID:
PMC10740008 DOI:
10.1021/jacs.3c08877]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Nature embeds some of its molecular machinery, including ion pumps, within lipid bilayer membranes. This has inspired chemists to attempt to develop synthetic analogues to exploit membrane confinement and transmembrane potential gradients, much like their biological cousins. In this perspective, we outline the various strategies by which molecular machines─molecular systems in which a nanomechanical motion is exploited for function─have been designed to be incorporated within lipid membranes and utilized to mediate transmembrane ion transport. We survey molecular machines spanning both switches and motors, those that act as mobile carriers or that are anchored within the membrane, mechanically interlocked molecules, and examples that are activated in response to external stimuli.
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