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1.D.312.  The Artificial Supramolecular Lithium Ion Channel (ASLiC) Family

Highly selective transmembrane transport of exogenous lithium ions has been observed  through rationally designed supramolecular channels (Zhang et al. 2023). These channels are composed of pore-containing small aromatic molecules. By adjusting the lumen size and coordination numbers, one of the supramolecular channels developed shows unprecedented transmembrane transport of exogenous lithium ions with a Li+ /Na+ selectivity ratio of 23.0. This is in the same level of that of natural Na+ channels. Four coordination sites inside channels are found to be the basic requirement for ion transport function. This artificial lithium channel displays very low transport of physiological Na+ , K+ , Mg2+ , and Ca2+ ions. This highly selective Li+ channel may become an important tool for studying the physiological role of intracellular lithium ions, especially in the treatment of psychiatric disorders (Zhang et al. 2023).

References associated with 1.D.312 family:

Zhang, L., C. Zhang, X. Dong, and Z. Dong. (2023). Highly Selective Transmembrane Transport of Exogenous Lithium Ions through Rationally Designed Supramolecular Channels. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 62: e202214194. 36478069