An ion transport switch based on light-responsive conformation-dependent G-quadruplex transmembrane channels

Using Nanoscale Passports To Understand and Unlock Ion Channels as Gatekeepers of the Cell

Natural ion channels are proteins embedded in the cell membrane that control many aspects of cell and human physiology by acting as gatekeepers, regulating the flow of ions in and out of cells. Advances in nanotechnology have influenced the methods for studying ion channels in vitro, as well as ways to unlock the delivery of therapeutics by modulating them in vivo. This review provides an overview of nanotechnology-enabled approaches for ion channel research with a focus on the synthesis and applications of synthetic ion channels. Further, the uses of nanotechnology for therapeutic applications are critically analyzed. Finally, we provide an outlook on the opportunities and challenges at the intersection of nanotechnology and ion channels. This work highlights the key role of nanoscale interactions in the operation and modulation of ion channels, which may prompt insights into nanotechnology-enabled mechanisms to study and exploit these systems in the near future.

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.

Photo- and Redox-Regulated Transmembrane Ion Transporters

Synthetic supramolecular ion transporters find applications as potential therapeutics and as tools for engineering functional membranes. Stimuli-responsive systems enable external control over transport, which is necessary for targeted activation. The Minireview provides an overview of current approaches to developing stimuli-responsive ion transport systems, including channels and mobile carriers, that can be controlled using photo or redox inputs.

Photoinduced bidirectional switching in lipid membranes containing azobenzene glycolipids

Following the reaction of biological membranes to external stimuli reveals fundamental insights into cellular function. Here, self-assembled lipid monolayers act as model membranes containing photoswitchable azobenzene glycolipids for investigating structural response during isomerization by combining Langmuir isotherms with X-ray scattering. Controlled in-situ trans/cis photoswitching of the azobenzene N = N double bond alters the DPPC monolayer structure, causing reproducible changes in surface pressure and layer thickness, indicating monolayer reorientation. Interestingly, for monolayers containing azobenzene glycolipids, along with the expected DPPC phase transitions an additional discontinuity is observed. The associated reorintation represents a crossover point, with the surface pressure and layer thickness changing in opposite directions above and below. This is evidence that the azobenzene glycolipids themselves change orientation within the monolayer. Such behaviour suggests that azobenzene glycolipids can act as a bidirectional switch in DPPC monolayers providing a tool to investigate membrane structure-function relationships in depth.

Demir G, Demir D. Quantum tunneling time delay investigation of [Formula: see text] ion in human telomeric G-quadruplex systems

Guanine-rich quadruplex DNA (G-quadruplex) is of interest both in cell biology and nanotechnology. Its biological functions necessitate a G-quadruplex to be stabilized against escape of the monovalent metal cations. The potassium ion ([Formula: see text]) is particularly important as it experiences a potential energy barrier while it enters and exits the G-quadruplex systems which are normally found in human telomere. In the present work, we analyzed the time it takes for the [Formula: see text] cations to get in and out of the G-quadruplex. Our time estimate is based on entropic tunneling time-a time formula which gave biologically relevant results for DNA point mutation by proton tunneling. The potential energy barrier experienced by [Formula: see text] ions is determined from a quantum mechanical simulation study, Schrodinger equation is solved using MATLAB, and the computed eigenfunctions and eigenenergies are used in the entropic tunneling time formula to compute the time delay and charge accumulation rate during the tunneling of [Formula: see text] in G-quadruplex. The computations have shown that ion tunneling takes picosecond times. In addition, average [Formula: see text] accumulation rate is found to be in the picoampere range. Our results show that time delay during the [Formula: see text] ion tunneling is in the ballpark of the conformational transition times in biological systems, and it could be an important parameter for understanding its biological role in human DNA as well as for the possible applications in biotechnology. To our knowledge, for the first time in the literature, time delay during the ion tunneling from and into G-quadruplexes is computed.

Conformational Change from U- to I-Shape of Ion Transporters Facilitates K+ Transport across Lipid Bilayers

We have investigated, at the atomic level, the ion-fishing mechanism underlying the ion transport across membranes mediated by an artificial ion transporter composed of a hydroxyl-rich cholesterol group, a flexible alkyl chain, and a crown ether. Our results show that the transporter can spontaneously insert into the membrane and switch between the folded (U-shaped) and extended (I-shaped) conformations. The free-energy profile associated with the conformational transition indicates that compared with the U-shaped conformation of the transporter, the I-shaped one is thermodynamically more favorable. Furthermore, the free-energy profiles describing the ion translocation reveal that the transporter capturing the ion in U-shape on one side of the membrane and releasing it in I-shape on the other side constitutes a key way for the highly efficient transport of K⁺ ions. We present herewith a rigorous and rational framework to decipher the detailed ion-fishing mechanism of transmembrane ion transport with exceptionally high activity.