%0 Journal Article %A Chen, Sujun %A Wang, Yichuan %A Nie, Ting %A Bao, Chunyan %A Wang, Chenxi %A Xu, Tianyi %A Lin, Qiuning %A Qu, Da-Hui %A Gong, Xueqing %A Yang, Yi %A Zhu, Linyong %A Tian, He %D 2018 %T An Artificial Molecular Shuttle Operates in Lipid Bilayers for Ion Transport %U https://acs.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/An_Artificial_Molecular_Shuttle_Operates_in_Lipid_Bilayers_for_Ion_Transport/7393286 %R 10.1021/jacs.8b09580.s001 %2 https://acs.figshare.com/ndownloader/files/13677524 %K Artificial Molecular Shuttle Operates %K EC 50 value %K shuttle %K rotaxane %K ion %K macrocycle wheel component %K lipid bilayers %X Inspired by natural biomolecular machines, synthetic molecular-level machines have been proven to perform well-defined mechanical tasks and measurable work. To mimic the function of channel proteins, we herein report the development of a synthetic molecular shuttle, [2]­rotaxane 3, as a unimolecular vehicle that can be inserted into lipid bilayers to perform passive ion transport through its stochastic shuttling motion. The [2]­rotaxane molecular shuttle is composed of an amphiphilic molecular thread with three binding stations, which is interlocked in a macrocycle wheel component that tethers a K+ carrier. The structural characteristics enable the rotaxane to transport ions across the lipid bilayers, similar to a cable car, transporting K+ with an EC50 value of 1.0 μM (3.0 mol % relative to lipid). We expect that this simple molecular machine will provide new opportunities for developing more effective and selective ion transporters. %I ACS Publications