Ionophore

Carrier and channel ionophores
(a) Carrier ionophores reversibly bind ions and carry them through cell membranes.
(b) Channel ionophores create channels within cell membranes to facilitate the transport of ions.

In chemistry, an ionophore (from Greek ion and -phore 'ion carrier') is a chemical species that reversibly binds ions.[1] Many ionophores are lipid-soluble entities that transport ions across the cell membrane. Ionophores catalyze ion transport across hydrophobic membranes, such as liquid polymeric membranes (carrier-based ion selective electrodes) or lipid bilayers found in the living cells or synthetic vesicles (liposomes).[1] Structurally, an ionophore contains a hydrophilic center and a hydrophobic portion that interacts with the membrane.

Some ionophores are synthesized by microorganisms to import ions into their cells. Synthetic ion carriers have also been prepared. Ionophores selective for cations and anions have found many applications in analysis.[2] These compounds have also shown to have various biological effects and a synergistic effect when combined with the ion they bind.[3]

  1. ^ a b Bakker E1; Bühlmann P; Pretsch E. (1997). "Carrier-Based Ion-Selective Electrodes and Bulk Optodes. 1. General Characteristics". Chem. Rev. 97 (8): 3083–3132. doi:10.1021/cr940394a. PMID 11851486.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ Bühlmann P1; Pretsch E; Bakker E. (1998). "Carrier-Based Ion-Selective Electrodes and Bulk Optodes. 2. Ionophores for Potentiometric and Optical Sensors". Chem. Rev. 98 (4): 1593–1688. doi:10.1021/cr970113+. PMID 11848943.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ Ding, Wei-Qun; Lind, Stuart E. (November 2009). "Metal ionophores – An emerging class of anticancer drugs". IUBMB Life. 61 (11): 1013–1018. doi:10.1002/iub.253. PMID 19859983. S2CID 205969630.