SYNTHETIC ORGANIC-MODELS FOR TRANSMEMBRANE, CATION CONDUCTING CHANNELS

The design, synthesis, and analysis of a family of novel cation-conduc ting, transmembrane channels is described. These compounds were design ed de novo based upon principles learned from the cellular and molecul ar biology of protein channels and the principles of physical organic chemistry. More than 25 representatives of this family are now known, several of which are described in this review. Studies to determine ca tion flux are reported which involve either a dynamic Na-23-NMR method or planar lipid bilayer conductance studies. Inferences have been dra wn about conformation and function.