A small synthetic molecule functions as a chloride-bicarbonate dual-transporter and induces chloride secretion in cells

A C-2 symmetric small molecule composed of L-phenylalanine and isophthalamide was found to function as a Cl-/HCO3- dual transporter and self-assemble into chloride channels. In Ussing-chamber based short-circuit current measurements, this molecule elicited chloride-dependent short-circuit current (I-SC) increase in both Calu-3 cell and CFBE41o-cell (with F508del mutant CFTR) monolayers.