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A controllable photoresponsive potassium transporter

Author

Listed:
  • Zhongyan Li

    (Fuzhou University)

  • Lin Yuan

    (Hunan University of Science and Engineering)

  • Wenju Chang

    (Fuzhou University)

  • Junqiu Liu

    (Hangzhou Normal University)

  • Jie Shen

    (Fuzhou University)

  • Huaqiang Zeng

    (Fuzhou University)

Abstract

Artificial photoresponsive transport systems are particularly intriguing because they offer the potential for precise spatio-temporal control, rapid response times and minimal toxicity associated with the light. We report here a controllable, photoresponsive, ion-transporting carrier, achieving controllability through a photoregulated β-cyclodextrin (β-CD)-azobenzene host-guest complex. In this complex, a lipid-anchored β-CD serves as the launch base, tightly immobilizing through host-guest interactions the otherwise freely moving trans-transporter derived from a crown ether-modified trans-azobenzene motif, but rapidly releasing most of it upon 365 nm UV irradiation that converts transporter to its cis-configuration. The launched cis-transporter functions well as a highly efficient potassium transporter, delivering a low EC50 value of 1.51 μM and a drastic transport activity enhancement by ~ 400% relative to the base-bound trans-transporter (EC50 = 7.46 μM), with on-off activities repeatedly regulated by light. In the absence of the base, the on-off activities between cis- and trans-transporters however differ by only 80% (1.35 μM vs 2.45 μM).

Suggested Citation

  • Zhongyan Li & Lin Yuan & Wenju Chang & Junqiu Liu & Jie Shen & Huaqiang Zeng, 2025. "A controllable photoresponsive potassium transporter," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-62113-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62113-1
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