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Natural and Synthetic Transmembrane Channels

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Supramolecular Chemistry

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Abstract

The reliance of cells on transmembrane processes that import small molecules and export waste is discussed in the context of two mechanisms: transmembrane migration by molecular shuttles and transmembrane channels. Channel selectivity and gating mechanisms (voltage gating, ligand gating, gating by aggregation, gating by pH and membrane tension, and light gating) are explained. The channel architecture for neutral molecules, anions and cations is described. Techniques of structural determination and measuring channel activity (voltage clamping, patch clamping, bilayer, dye release and NMR methods) are described. Transmembrane transport by artificial systems is extensively discussed with examples drawn from both transporting and channel-forming systems.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Huxley Bldg, Lewes Road, BN2 4GJ, Brighton, UK

    Dr. Peter J. Cragg

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  1. Dr. Peter J. Cragg
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Correspondence to Peter J. Cragg .

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Cragg, P.J. (2010). Natural and Synthetic Transmembrane Channels. In: Supramolecular Chemistry. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-2582-1_5

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