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Synthetic Molecular Walkers

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Molecular Machines and Motors

Part of the book series: Topics in Current Chemistry ((TOPCURRCHEM,volume 354))

Abstract

In biological systems, molecular motors have been developed to harness Brownian motion and perform specific tasks. Among the cytoskeletal motor proteins, kinesins ensure directional transport of cargoes to the periphery of the cell by taking discrete steps along microtubular tracks. In the past decade there has been an increasing interest in the development of molecules that mimic aspects of the dynamics of biological systems and can became a starting point for the creation of artificial transport systems.

To date, both DNA-based and small-molecule walkers have been developed, each taking advantage of the different chemistries available to them. DNA strollers exploit orthogonal base pairing and utilize strand-displacement reactions to control the relative association of the component parts. Small-molecule walkers take advantage of the reversibility of weak noncovalent interactions as well as the robustness of dynamic covalent bonds in order to transport molecular fragments along surfaces and molecular tracks using both diffusional processes and ratchet mechanisms. Here we review both types of synthetic systems, including their designs, dynamics, and how they are being used to perform functions by controlled mechanical motion at the molecular level.

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Abbreviations

AFM:

Atomic force microscopy

AQ:

Anthraquinone

ATP:

Adenosine-5′-triphosphate

bp:

Base pair(s)

CD:

α-Cyclodextrin

DCC:

Dynamic covalent chemistry; also dynamic combinatorial chemistry

DMSO:

Dimethylsulfoxide

DNA:

Deoxyribonucleic acid

DNAs:

Deoxyribonucleic acids

DTA:

9,10-Dithioanthracene

E :

(Entgegen); opposite

ESI:

Electrospray ionisation

ETAC:

Equilibrium transfer alkylating cross-linking reagent(s)

h:

Hour

HJ:

Holliday junction

HS:

High speed

Hz:

Hertz

K:

Kelvin

meV:

Millielectron volt(s)

mM:

Millimolar

MS:

Mass spectrometry

nm:

Nanometer(s)

NMR:

Nuclear magnetic resonance

PQ:

Pentaquinone

PT:

Pentacenetetrone

RNA:

Ribonucleic acid

s:

Second(s)

STM:

Scanning tunnelling microscopy

Z :

(Zusammen); together

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK

    David A. Leigh, Urszula Lewandowska, Bartosz Lewandowski & Miriam R. Wilson

Authors
  1. David A. Leigh
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  2. Urszula Lewandowska
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  3. Bartosz Lewandowski
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  4. Miriam R. Wilson
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to David A. Leigh .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

    Alberto Credi

  2. Dept. of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Bologna, Germany

    Serena Silvi

  3. Dept. of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

    Margherita Venturi

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Leigh, D.A., Lewandowska, U., Lewandowski, B., Wilson, M.R. (2014). Synthetic Molecular Walkers. In: Credi, A., Silvi, S., Venturi, M. (eds) Molecular Machines and Motors. Topics in Current Chemistry, vol 354. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/128_2014_546

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