Ultra-mechanosensitive ion transport through bioinspired high-density elastomeric nanochannels

Abstract Mechanosensitive ion channels play crucial roles in physiological activities, where small mechanical stimuli induce the deformation of the ion channels, and are further transformed into significant electrochemical signals. Artificial ion channels with stiff modulus have been developed to mimic mechanosensory behaviors. However, fabricating flexible mechanosensitive channels that are capable of regulating ionic current upon dramatic deformation still has remained a challenge. Here, we demonstrate bioinspired high-density elastomeric channels self-assembled by polyisoprene-b-poly4-vinylpyridine (PI-b-P4VP), which exhibit ultra-mechanosensitive ion transport. The PI-formed continuous elastic matrix can transmit external force into internal tension. While P4VP forms transmembrane ion-selective channels which undergo dramatic deformation responded to mechanical stimuli. The integrated P4VP channels present an ultra-mechanosensitive electrochemical response, with five orders of magnitude more sensitive than biological mechanosensitive channels. The results deepen the comprehension of the mechanosensory mechanism in cells and provide a promising avenue for designing flexible and responsive channel membranes.