Inter-Vesicle Signal Transduction Using a Photo-Responsive Zinc Ionophore |
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Authors: | Shaun A Gartland Toby G Johnson Euan Walkley Prof Matthew J Langton |
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Institution: | Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA UK |
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Abstract: | Transmission of chemical information between cells and across lipid bilayer membranes is of profound significance in many biological processes. The design of synthetic signalling systems is a critical step towards preparing artificial cells with collective behaviour. Here, we report the first example of a synthetic inter-vesicle signalling system, in which diffusible chemical signals trigger transmembrane ion transport in a manner reminiscent of signalling pathways in biology. The system is derived from novel ortho-nitrobenzyl and BODIPY photo-caged ZnII transporters, in which cation transport is triggered by photo-decaging with UV or red light, respectively. This decaging reaction can be used to trigger the release of the cationophores from a small population of sender vesicles. This in turn triggers the transport of ions across the membrane of a larger population of receiver vesicles, but not across the sender vesicle membrane, leading to overall inter-vesicle signal transduction and amplification. |
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Keywords: | Ion Transport Ionophores Membranes Photocaging Signaling |
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