Sialylated glycan-modulated biomimetic ion nanochannels driven by carbohydrate–carbohydrate interactions

Abstract Ion channels play key roles in regulating the ion environment inside and outside cell. Sialylated glycans (SGs) at terminus of voltage-gated (VGICs) are abundant directly control switch VGICs, while SGs on cell surface also closely related to virus infection, tumor growth, metastasis. Here, we report a biomimetic nanochannel device that can be precisely regulated by SG. The is composed chemically etched polyethylene terephthalate film featuring conical nanochannels polyethyleneimine- g -malcopyranoside (abbreviated Mal-PEI). Maltose, core-binding units Mal-PEI, forms multiple hydrogen-bonding interactions with SG, which triggers globule-to-coil transition polymer chain blocks transmembrane transport, resulting remarkable decrease ionic current nanochannel. Based changes current, this discriminate α2-3- α2-6-linked sialyllactose, as well neutral saccharides. Importantly, monitor sialylation process lactose catalyzed α2,6-sialyltransferase real time, showing its good potential enzyme activity determination vitro identification. This work constructs an SG-modulated selective smart ion-gating behavior, exhibiting unique advantages SG responsiveness enzymatic monitoring.