Synthesis and transmembrane anion/cation symport activity of a rigid bis(choloyl) conjugate functionalized with guanidino groups

Abstract A rigid bis(choloyl) conjugate functionalized with guanidino groups was synthesized and fully characterized on the basis of NMR ( 1 H and 13 C) and ESI MS (LR and HR) data. Its transmembrane ionophoric activity across egg-yolk l -α-phosphatidylcholine-based liposomal membranes was investigated by means of chloride ion selective electrode technique and pH discharge assay. The data indicate that under the assay conditions, this conjugate was capable of promoting the transport of anions, presumably via a cation/anion symport process. A Hill analysis reveals that two molecules of this compound are assembled into the transport-active species.