Adenosine Triphosphate Templated Self-Assembly of Cationic Porphyrin into Chiral Double Superhelices and Enzyme-Mediated Disassembly

J Am Chem Soc. 2019 Aug 14;141(32):12610-12618. doi: 10.1021/jacs.9b04133. Epub 2019 Aug 6.

Abstract

Self-assembly of small molecules through noncovalent interactions into nanoscale architectures has been extensively studied in supramolecular chemistry. However, it is still challenging to develop a biologically inspired self-assembly system that functions in water with complex structure and dynamics by analogy with those found in nature. Here, we report a new water-soluble cationic porphyrin that undergoes adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-templated self-assembly into right-handed double-helical supramolecular structures. Direct observation of the porphyrin-ATP assembly by transmission electron microscopy has been accomplished. The assemblies consist of superhelical fibers with length greater than 1 μm and width ∼46 nm. The chiral superhelical fibers show reversible disassembly to monomers upon hydrolysis of ATP catalyzed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and the nanofibers can be re-formed with subsequent addition of ATP. Moreover, transient self-assembly of a chiral double helix is formed when ALP is present to consume ATP.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / chemistry*
  • Alkaline Phosphatase / chemistry
  • Hydrolysis
  • Macromolecular Substances / chemistry*
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Nanofibers / chemistry*
  • Porphyrins / chemistry*

Substances

  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Porphyrins
  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • Alkaline Phosphatase