Esterase-Activatable Synthetic M+/Cl- Channel Induces Apoptosis and Disrupts Autophagy in Cancer Cells.

The formation of a supramolecular synthetic M+/Cl- channel in the membrane phospholipid bilayer has been reported upon activation of a methyl pivalate-linked N1,N3-dialkyl-2-hydroxyisophthalamide by esterases. The channel formation induces apoptosis in cancer cells via the intrinsic pathway. Interestingly, the supramolecular channel was also shown to disrupt autophagy in cancer cells by causing alkalization of lysosomes - a feature that has been confirmed at the cellular and protein level.