Mechanism of Threading a Polymer Through a Macrocyclic Ring

• DOI: 10.1126/science.1164647
• Publication Date: 2008-12-30T02:29:21Z
• Authors: Alexander B. C. D...; Cyrille Monnereau; Johannes A. A. W....; Gianfranco Ercolani; Roeland J. M. Nolte; Alan E. Rowan
• Keywords: Threading (protein sequence)

The translocation of biopolymers through pores and channels plays a fundamental role in numerous biological processes. We describe here the mechanism threading series polymer chains synthetic macrocycle, which mimics these natural polymers involves kinetically favorable "entron" effect, is associated with initial filling cavity by end polymer. A preassociation between outside macrocycle induces process loops back into macrocycle. This looping results accelerated rates unidirectional motion reminiscent protein membrane pores.