Chemically gated artificial nanochannels for programmable subcellular signal modulated transport regulation

Biomimetic artificial nanochannels have been developed rapidly because of their promising potentials in biomedical applications. Here we report the design of chemically gated artificial nanochannels to perform transmembrane channel-mimetic permeability transition via the multi-functional DNA components modified at the inner surface, whereby the structure and charge of the DNA components can be tuned by multiple key chemical signals. We realize the targeted capture of a single mitochondrion in single living cells, which allows in situ response of multiple mitochondrial signals (Ca²⁺ / ROS / H⁺) and the subsequent delicate control of permeability transition. Further study of rotenone (ROT) induced ROS / Ca²⁺ release and mitochondrial membrane potential loss demonstrate that the nanochannels can response to complex chemical signals at a localized subcellular region in spite of the complicated intracellular environment. Finally, we report the advanced applications of nanochannels for evaluating and regulating the interaction network between mitochondria and other organelles.