Synthetic ion channels: functional characterization of benzo-crown ether based derivatives

Abstract

Several benzo-crown ether derivatives have been reported in chemical literature to exhibit ion channel activity but very little is known about their permeation and gating mechanisms. In this study, we characterize two new families of benzo(crown-ether) compounds, termed monoacylated and monoalkylated benzo(crown-ethers) (MABCE). Depending on the length of alkyl substituents, size of the macrocycle, and ionic conditions, MABCE compounds are able to potently inhibit bacterial growth and transport ions across bacterial and synthetic membranes.