Synthetic transmembrane channel molecules formed by acyclic cucurbiturils and pillararene: Tuning cation selectivity and generating membrane potential

Biomimetic transmembrane channel molecules developed through chemical synthesis strategies were used for treat genetic diseases which due to the alterations in the channel structure of native membrane proteins and ion transport is deregulated. In this paper, we designed and constructed a novel synthetic transmembrane channel molecules (STCMs), which based on acyclic cucurbiturils (ACBs) and pillar[5]arene (PA[5]). STCMs could imitate the function of natural channel protein molecules and reveal the possible existence structure, there is a hope for new treatment options for genetic diseases. The structure of STCMs have been identified by NMR and FT-IR, the results of fluorescence experiments showed that it could effectively insert into the phospholipid bilayer, specifically recognize and transmit K+. Whole-cell patch-clamp experiments showed that STCMs could insert into the cell membrane of HEK293T cells, and could form channels on the cell membrane to generate current. These works will help to understand the relationship between the structures and properties of STCMs and the selectivity and efficiency of ions or polar molecules. This study presents the molecular structure and function of STCMs which may form a basis for explore the scientific laws of transmembrane transporter.