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Intrigued by the properties of ion channel proteins commonly observed in cells, Tokyo Tech researchers have developed the first synthetic mechanosensitive potassium channel using a newly developed aromatic fluorinated amphiphilic cyclophane. Displaying both “stimuli responsiveness” and “selective ion transport” abilities, their new ion channel could open new doors for the future therapeutic and industrial usage of synthetic mechanosensitive channels.

Nature inspires mankind in a myriad of ways. Take, for instance, “stimuli-responsive” ion transport channel proteins. These proteins are found embedded in cell membranes and respond to a variety of external stimuli, including light, pH, and mechanical force. Given their crucial role in several biological processes, researchers have attempted to synthesize the artificial versions of these channel proteins for use in therapeutic and industrial settings. However, success in synthesizing them has been elusive. The complex structural requirements for stimuli responsiveness and specific ion transport properties have been identified as the major impediment in their synthesis.

Overcoming these difficulties, researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech), led by Assistant Professor Kohei Sato and Full Professor Kazushi Kinbara, have recently developed the first synthetic mechanosensitive (responsive to mechanical force) channel with potassium ion selectivity. Their findings are published in the . Talking about the study, Assist. Prof. Sato and Prof. Kinbara, affiliated with the School of Life Science and Technology at Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech), say, “With our experience in designing multiblock amphiphiles which self-assemble to form supramolecular ion channels, we hypothesized that linear amphiphiles were not suitable for transporting specific ions; hence, we attempted structural modifications to incorporate both stimuli responsiveness and ion selectivity.”

As mentioned by Assist. Prof. Sato and Prof. Kinbara, the researchers tweaked the structure of a complex organic molecule known as a multiblock amphiphile to incorporate a perfluorinated aromatic unit. The resulting structure, a fluorinated amphiphilic cyclophane, contained hydrophobic perfluorinated oligo(phenylene–ethynylene) units and hydrophilic octa(ethylene glycol) linkers. The researchers also designed one partially fluorinated and one nonfluorinated amphiphilic cyclophane for investigating the impact of aromatic fluorination.

Microscopy revealed that both the perfluorinated cyclophane, named C_FF, and the partially fluorinated cyclophane, named C_FH, could get incorporated in the lipid bilayer membrane, while the nonfluorinated cyclophane could not. The researchers then analyzed the ion transport property, stimuli responsiveness, and potassium ion selectivity of C_FF and C_FH using conductance measurements, fluorescence assays, and computational studies. They identified that both C_FF and C_FH self-assembled in the bilayer membrane to form supramolecular ion channels. Moreover, the flow of current across the membrane confirmed the transmembrane ion transport property of both C_FF and C_FH, more efficient and pronounced in C_FF.

Changes in the current flow on applying membrane tension further confirmed the stimuli responsiveness of the channels formed by C_FF and C_FH. The ion transport property of C_FF was affected significantly, while it did not change much for C_FH. Assist. Prof. Sato, Prof. Kinbara, and their team attribute these variations to the differential interaction of the aromatic units of C_FH and C_FF within the membrane.

Lastly, fluorescence assay revealed highest permeability of C_FF for potassium ions compared to other alkali metal cations. The team found that the higher affinity of potassium ions for the fluorine atoms in the core of the structure was responsible for this phenomenon.

Commenting on these findings, Assist. Prof. Sato and Prof. Kinbara say, “The fact that a supramolecular ion channel formed by C_FF possesses such stimuli responsiveness and potassium ion selectivity is not only intriguing, but also strikingly similar to the mechanosensitive channels found in mammalian neurons.”

With this demonstration, possibilities such as the development of therapies for ion-channel related diseases, manipulation of important biological processes, and development of industrial material purification technologies are already in sight!