Preparation of Biomimetic Artificial Ion Channels

The artificial model of a cell membrane was prepared using biomimetic PHB and the calcium polyphosphate complex (poly-P) incorporated into lipid bilayers of 1,2-dierucoylphosphatidylcholine. It was found that PHB/poly-P channels show high conductance for Ca and Na cations . 

Thus the low molecular weight PHB-polymer (19-20 monomer units) can be used effectively for preparation of artificial ion channels in cell membranes mimicking natural ones. The model of channels proposed contains two helices the outer one containing poly-(R)-3 hydroxybutanoate, complexed by hydrogen bonding with the inner helix of poly(-Ca phosphonate) (Fig 1). 

The synthetic PHB of low molecular weight is biomimetic and immimo-neutral. It is degradated by enzymatic systems in living organisms and can be used for medical applications. 

Zid ell, M,R. and Piestwich GJ ., 2000, A Hyaluionic Acid-Taxol Antitumor Bioconjugate Targeted to Cancer Cells. Biomacromolecules 1(2) 208-218 

Seebach, D., Biiiger, H.M., Mfiller, H.M., Lengweiler, U.D., Beck, A JL, Sykes, K.E., Barker, PA. and Barcham, PJ., 1994, Synthesis of linear oligomers of (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate and solid-state stiuctural investigations by electron microscopy and X-ray scattering. Helv. Chim. Acta Tl 1099-1123 

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