Abstract
Transport of water across cell membranes is a fundamental process for important biological functions. Herein, we focused our research on a new type of symmetrical saccharide rim-functionalized pillar[5]arene PA-S artificial water channels with variable pore structures. To point out the versatility of PA-S channels, we systematically varied the nature of anchoring/gate keepers D-Mannoside, D-Mannuronic acid or Sialic acid H-bonding groups on lateral PA arms, known as good membrane adhesives, to best describe the influence of the chemical structure on their transport activity. The control of hydrophobic membrane bindinghydrophilic water binding balance is an important feature influencing the channels' structuration and efficiency for a proper insertion into bilayer membranes. The glycosylated-PA channels transport performances were assessed in lipid bilayer membranes, and they were able to transport water at high rates (~10 6-10 7 waters/s/channel within one order of magnitude as for aquaporins.) serving as selective proton railways with total Na + and K + rejection. Molecular simulation substantiates the idea that the PAs can generate supramolecular pores, featuring hydrophilic carbohydrate gate-keepers that serve as water-sponge relays at the channel entrance, effectively absorbing and redirecting water within the channel. The present channels may be regarded as a rare biomimetic example of artificial channels presenting proton vs. cations transport selectivity performances.