Abstract
Artificial signal transduction systems as molecular devices can be designed through functional connection of supramolecules self-organized in lipid bilayer membranes. A lipid membrane containing gramicidin ion channels linked to antibodies acted as a biosensor using an ion channel switching based on molecular recognition of the antibodies. An artificial photosynthetic membrane composed of a molecular triad, consisting of an electron donor and acceptor linked to a photosensitive porphyrin group, and ATP synthase effectively converted light energy into ATP chemical potential via a proton-pumping photocycle. Supramolecular bilayer assemblies constituted in combination with an artificial receptor and an effector enzyme exhibited signal transduction behavior in which a receptor transmitted an external signal to an enzyme in collaboration with a signal mediator. The artificial supramolecular systems inspired by the G protein-coupled biological signaling were extended to use as a sensing system for biologically active amines and a logic gate for developing molecular devices in nanotechnology.
