The design, synthesis, and characterization of a synthetic chloride membrane transporter, SCMTR (synthetic chloride membrane transporter, "scimitar"), are presented. The compound [CH3(CH2)17]2NCOCH2OCH2CO-GGGPGGG-OBzl inserts rapidly into liposomes and planar lipid bilayers. SCMTR has a 1.3 +/- 0.01 nS chloride diffusion pathway (>10:1 Cl/K selectivity). Evidence was also obtained for voltage gating behavior.

The central relay of hydraphile channels is a model for the central ion-capsule of the KcsA K1 K + -conducting channel of Streptomyces lividans; organization of water and concomitant electrostatic stabilization of a transient K + appear to be the functions in both cases.

No abstract

No abstract

A novel, pentamacrocyclic host molecule has been prepared in which four symmetry-equivalent diazacrown ethers lead to a dramatic enhancement in Na + transport, across a phospholipid bilayer, relative to open-chained analogs lacking the fourth crown.