Flexible Single‐Chain‐Heteropolymer‐Derived Transmembrane Ion Channels with High K+ Selectivity and Tunable pH‐Gated Characteristics

• DOI: 10.1002/anie.202210214
• Publication Date: 2022-08-30T06:13:36Z
• Authors: Tengfei Yan; Shengda Liu; Cong Li; Jiayun Xu; Shuangjiang Yu; Tingting Wang; Hongcheng Sun; Junqiu Liu
• Keywords: Nanopore; Transmembrane channels; KcsA potassium channel

Abstract A series of single‐chain random heteropolymer (RHP)‐derived artificial ion channels with both high K + selectivity and controllable pH‐gated behaviors were fabricated by a facile “one‐pot” polymerization method. The benzo‐18‐crown‐6 moieties appended on lateral chains RHPs can form ion‐permeable nanopores transport over Na through the lipid bilayers. permeation was significantly enhanced incorporating cholesterol group to serve as membrane anchor. Interestingly, similar natural gated protein channels, on–off switchable characteristics also realized integrating an additional acid‐sensitive alkylamine into RHP‐derived channel. unique design strategies have endowed synthetic procedures, desirable compatibility, selectivity, tunable properties. This work provides entry point for future novel functional nanochannels.