Formation of supramolecular channels by reversible unwinding-rewinding of bis(indole) double helix via ion coordination

Concentration-Driven Evolution of Adaptive Artificial Ion Channels or Nanopores with Specific Anticancer Activities

In nature, ceramides are a class of sphingolipids possessing a unique ability to self-assemble into protein-permeable channels with intriguing concentration-dependent adaptive channel cavities. However, within the realm of artificial ion channels, this interesting phenomenon is scarcely represented. Herein, we report on a novel class of adaptive artificial channels, Pn-TPPs, based on PEGylated cholic acids bearing triphenylphosphonium (TPP) groups as anion binding motifs. Interestingly, the molecules self-assemble into chloride ion channels at low concentrations while transforming into small molecule-permeable nanopores at high concentrations. Moreover, the TPP groups endow the molecules with mitochondria-targeting properties, enabling them to selectively drill holes on the mitochondrial membrane of cancer cells and subsequently trigger the caspase 9 apoptotic pathway. The anticancer efficacies of Pn-TPPs correlate with their abilities to form nanopores. Significantly, the most active ensembles formed by P5-TPP exhibits impressive anticancer activity against human liver cancer cells, with an IC50 value of 3.8 μM. While demonstrating similar anticancer performance to doxorubicin, P5-TPP exhibits a selectivity index surpassing that of doxorubicin by a factor of 16.8.

Precision ion separation via self-assembled channels

Selective nanofiltration membranes with accurate molecular sieving offer a solution to recover rare metals and other valuable elements from brines. However, the development of membranes with precise sub-nanometer pores is challenging. Here, we report a scalable approach for membrane fabrication in which functionalized macrocycles are seamlessly oriented via supramolecular interactions during the interfacial polycondensation on a polyacrylonitrile support layer. The rational incorporation of macrocycles enables the formation of nanofilms with self-assembled channels holding precise molecular sieving capabilities and a threshold of 6.6 ångström, which corresponds to the macrocycle cavity size. The resulting membranes provide a 100-fold increase in selectivity for Li+/Mg2+ separation, outperforming commercially available and state-of-the-art nanocomposite membranes for lithium recovery. Their performance is further assessed in high-recovery tests under realistic nanofiltration conditions using simulated brines or concentrated seawater with various Li+ levels and demonstrates their remarkable potential in ion separation and Li+ recovery applications.

Stimuli-responsive synthetic helical polymers

Synthetic dynamic helical polymers (supramolecular and covalent) and foldamers share the helix as a structural motif. Although the materials are different, these systems also share many structural properties, such as helix induction or conformational communication mechanisms. The introduction of stimuli responsive building blocks or monomer repeating units in these materials triggers conformational or structural changes, due to the presence/absence of the external stimulus, which are transmitted to the helix resulting in different effects, such as assymetry amplification, helix inversion or even changes in the helical scaffold (elongation, J/H helical aggregates). In this review, we show through selected examples how different stimuli (e.g., temperature, solvents, cations, anions, redox, chiral additives, pH or light) can alter the helical structures of dynamic helical polymers (covalent and supramolecular) and foldamers acting on the conformational composition or molecular structure of their components, which is also transmitted to the macromolecular helical structure.

Non-Covalently Stapled H+ /Cl- Ion Channels Activatable by Visible Light for Targeted Anticancer Therapy

The development of stimuli-responsive artificial H+ /Cl- ion channels, capable of specifically disturbing the intracellular ion homeostasis of cancer cells, presents an intriguing opportunity for achieving high selectivity in cancer therapy. Herein, we describe a novel family of non-covalently stapled self-assembled artificial channels activatable by biocompatible visible light at 442 nm, which enables the co-transport of H+ /Cl- across the membrane with H+ /Cl- transport selectivity of 6.0. Upon photoirradiation of the caged C4F-L for 10 min, 90 % of ion transport efficiency can be restored, giving rise to a 10.5-fold enhancement in cytotoxicity against human colorectal cancer cells (IC50 =8.5 μM). The mechanism underlying cancer cell death mediated by the H+ /Cl- channels involves the activation of the caspase 9 apoptosis pathway as well as the scarcely reported disruption of the autophagic processes. In the absence of photoirradiation, C4F-L exhibits minimal toxicity towards normal intestine cells, even at a concentration of 200 μM.

Selective chiral dimerization and folding driven by arene-perfluoroarene force

Oligomerization and folding of chiral compounds afford diversified chiral molecular architectures with interesting chiroptical properties, but their rational and precise control remain poorly understood. In this work, we employed arene-perfluoroarene (AP) interaction to manipulate the folding and dimerization of alanine derivatives bearing pyrene and a perfluoronaphthalene derivative. Based on X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance, the compound with a smaller tether and high skeleton rigidity self-assembled into double helical dimers by duplex hydrogen bonding and AP forces in a less polar solvent. Reversible disassociation occurred upon switching to a dipolar solvent or applying heating-cooling cycles. In comparison, the compound with increased skeleton flexibility folds into chiral molecular clamps in a less polar solvent, and is transformed into planar dimers upon switching to a polar solvent. The dynamic geometrical transformation between dimerization and folding was accompanied by chiroptical switching. Beyond the molecular and supramolecular level, we showed hierarchy control in the self-assembled nanoarchitectures and columnar and lamellar arrangements of their molecular packing. This work utilized AP forces to prepare and manipulate the chiral architectures at different hierarchical levels, enriching methodologies in precise chiral synthetic chemistry.

Modulation of supramolecular chirality by stepwise axial coordination in a nano-size trizinc(ii)porphyrin trimer

Herein, we report a chiral guest's triggered spring-like contraction and extension motions coupled with unidirectional twisting in a novel flexible and 'nano-size' achiral trizinc(ii)porphyrin trimer host upon step-wise formation of 1 : 1, 1 : 2, and 1 : 4 host-guest supramolecular complexes based on the stoichiometry of the diamine guests for the first time. During these processes, porphyrin CD responses have been induced, inverted, and amplified, and reduced, respectively, in a single molecular framework due to the change in the interporphyrin interactions and helicity. Also, the sign of the CD couplets is just the opposite between R and S substrates which suggests that the chirality is dictated solely by the stereographic projection of the chiral center. Interestingly, the long-range electronic communications between the three porphyrin rings generate trisignate CD signals that provide further information about molecular structures.

Progress and prospects toward supramolecular bioactive ion transporters

The majority of cellular physiological processes depend on natural ion channels, which are pore-forming membrane-embedded proteins that let ions flow across the cell membranes selectively. This selective movement of ions across the membranes balances the osmolality within and outside the cell. However, mutations in the genes that encode essential membrane transport proteins or structural reorganisation of these proteins can cause life-threatening diseases like cystic fibrosis. Artificial ion transport systems have opened up a way to replace dysfunctional natural ion channels to cure such diseases through channel replacement therapy. Moreover, recent research has also demonstrated the ability of these systems to kill cancer cells, reigniting interest in the field among scientists. Our contributions to the recent progress in the design and development of artificial chloride ion transporters and their effect on biological systems have been discussed in this review. This review would provide current vistas and future directions toward the development of novel ion transporters with improved biocompatibility and desired anti-cancer properties. Additionally, it strongly emphasises stimuli-responsive ion transport systems, which are crucial for obtaining target-specificity and may speed up the application of these systems in clinical therapeutics.