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Science 29 July 2005:
Vol. 309. no. 5735, pp. 755 - 758
DOI: 10.1126/science.1114760
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Reports

A Light-Actuated Nanovalve Derived from a Channel Protein

Armagan Koçer,1* Martin Walko,2* Wim Meijberg,1{dagger} Ben L. Feringa2{dagger}

Toward the realization of nanoscale device control, we report a molecular valve embedded in a membrane that can be opened by illumination with long-wavelength ultraviolet (366 nanometers) light and then resealed by visible irradiation. The valve consists of a channel protein, the mechanosensitive channel of large conductance (MscL) from Escherichia coli, modified by attachment of synthetic compounds that undergo light-induced charge separation to reversibly open and close a 3-nanometer pore. The system is compatible with a classical encapsulation system, the liposome, and external photochemical control over transport through the channel is achieved.

1 BiOMaDe Technology Foundation, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, Netherlands.
2 Department of Organic and Molecular Inorganic Chemistry, Stratingh Institute and Material Science Centre, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, Netherlands.

* These authors contributed equally to this work.

{dagger} To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: B.L.Feringa{at}rug.nl (B.L.F.); meijberg{at}biomade.nl (W.M.)

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