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Abstract The dynamic behavior of biological materials is central to their functionality, suggesting that interfacial dynamics could also mediate the activity of chemical events at the surfaces of synthetic materials. Here, we investigate the influence of surface flexibility and hydration on heavy metal remediation by nanostructures self-assembled from small molecules that are decorated with surface-bound chelators in water. We find that incorporating short oligo(ethylene glycol) spacers between the surface and interior domain of self-assembled nanostructures can drastically increase the conformational mobility of surface-bound lead-chelating moieties and promote interaction with surrounding water. In turn, we find the binding affinities of chelators tethered to the most flexible surfaces are more than ten times greater than the least flexible surfaces. Accordingly, nanostructures composed of amphiphiles that give rise to the most dynamic surfaces are capable of remediating thousands of liters of 50 ppb Pb2+-contaminated water with single grams of material. These findings establish interfacial dynamics as a critical design parameter for functional self-assembled nanostructures.
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Plant-derived chelators and ionophores as potential therapeutics for metabolic diseases
Transition metal dysregulation is associated with a host of pathologies, many of which are therapeutically targeted using chelators and ionophores. Chelators and ionophores are used as therapeutic metal-binding compounds which impart biological effects by sequestering or trafficking endogenous metal ions in an effort to restore homeostasis. Many current therapies take inspiration or derive directly from small molecules and peptides found in plants. This review focuses on plant-derived small molecule and peptide chelators and ionophores that can affect metabolic disease states. Understanding the coordination chemistry, bioavailability, and bioactivity of such molecules provides the tools to further research applications of plant-based chelators and ionophores.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2048265
- PAR ID:
- 10427423
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Chemical Society Reviews
- Volume:
- 52
- Issue:
- 11
- ISSN:
- 0306-0012
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 3927 to 3945
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1039/d3cs00167a
