Palladium(II)-gated ion channels

摘要

A simple ion channel has been developed that can be created or disassembled through the addition or removal of palladium(II).rnCommunication between cells in multicellular organisms depends upon the controlled release of messenger molecules. The influx and efflux of species into and out of cells is often facilitated by membrane-bound proteins, which are carefully controlled by sophisticated "gating" mechanisms. In particular, the controlled transport of ions through ion channels is a key cellular function, for example during the propagation of neural signals. The development of synthetic mimics of ion channels has progressed rapidly over the past 25 years, but the controlled "gating" of these biomimetic channels remains a significant challenge. Elegant examples of enzyme-gated, voltage-gated and photochemically switchable ion channels have been created, but despite being widespread in nature reversible ligand-gating of ion channels has proved to be difficult to replicate.