| Institution: | 1. Institut Europeen des Membranes, Adaptive Supramolecular Nanosystems Group, University of Montpellier, ENSCM-CNRS, Place E. Bataillon CC047, 34095 Montpellier, France;2. Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto, 615-8510 Japan;3. CNRS, Université de Paris, UPR 9080, Laboratoire de Biochimie Théorique, 13 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, F-75005 Paris, France
Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique-Fondation Edmond de Rotschild, PSL Research University, Paris, France;4. CNRS, Université de Paris, UPR 9080, Laboratoire de Biochimie Théorique, 13 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, F-75005 Paris, France |
| Abstract: | Artificial water channels mimicking natural aquaporins (AQPs) can be used for selective and fast transport of water. Here, we quantify the transport performances of peralkyl-carboxylate-pillar5]arenes dimers in bilayer membranes. They can transport ≈107 water molecules/channel/second, within one order of magnitude of the transport rates of AQPs, rejecting Na+ and K+ cations. The dimers have a tubular structure, superposing pillar5]arene pores of 5 Å diameter with twisted carboxy-phenyl pores of 2.8 Å diameter. This biomimetic platform, with variable pore dimensions within the same structure, offers size restriction reminiscent of natural proteins. It allows water molecules to selectively transit and prevents bigger hydrated cations from passing through the 2.8 Å pore. Molecular simulations prove that dimeric or multimeric honeycomb aggregates are stable in the membrane and form water pathways through the bilayer. Over time, a significant shift of the upper vs. lower layer occurs initiating new unexpected water permeation events through toroidal pores. |
