Lipophilic balance – a new design principle for transmembrane anion carriers

What is it about?

We've shown that thiourea-based anion transporters work best when the thiourea is in the middle of the molecule. If it is at either end then there is a bigger energy barrier for the thiourea anion complex to be transported through the lipophilic interior of the bilayer.

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Why is it important?

There are several genetic conditions which are caused by defects in endogenous anion channels, notable examples being Best disease, Bartter’s syndrome and cystic fibrosis. In principle, anion transporters might be used to treat these conditions by replacing the missing activity, in an approach termed “channel replacement therapy”.