Three-phase DNA-origami stepper mechanism based on multi-leg interactions

Kilwing, Luzia; Lill, Pascal; Nathwani, Bhavik; Singh, Jasleen Kaur Daljit; Liedl, Tim und Shih, William M. (2022): Three-phase DNA-origami stepper mechanism based on multi-leg interactions. In: Biophysical Journal, Bd. 121, Nr. 24: S. 4860-4866

Abstract

Nanoscale stepper motors such as kinesin and dynein play a key role in numerous natural processes such as mitotic spindle formation during cell division or intracellular organelle transport. Their high efficacy in terms of operational speed and processivity has inspired the investigation of biomimetic technologies based on the use of programmable molecules. In particular, several designs of molecular walkers have been explored using DNA nanotechnology. Here, we study the actuation of a DNA-origami walker on a DNA-origami track based on three principles: 1) octapedal instead of bipedal walking for greater redundancy;2) three pairs of orthogonal sequences, each of which fuels one repeatable stepping phase for cyclically driven mo-tion with controlled directionality based on strain-based step selection;3) designed size of only 3.5 nm per step on an origami track. All three principles are innovative in the sense that earlier demonstrations of steppers relied on a maximum of four legs on at least four orthogonal sequences to drive cyclic stepping, and took steps much larger than 3.4 nm in size. Using gel electro-phoresis and negative-stain electron microscopy, we demonstrate cyclic actuation of DNA-origami structures through states defined by three sets of specific sequences of anchor points. However, this mechanism was not able to provide the intended control over directionality of movement. DNA-origami-based stepper motors will offer a future platform for investigating how increasing numbers of legs can be exploited to achieve robust stepping with relatively small step sizes.

• Dokumententyp: Zeitschriftenartikel
• Fakultät: Physik
• Fakultätsübergreifende Einrichtungen: Center for NanoScience (CENS)
• Themengebiete: 500 Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik > 530 Physik ; 500 Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik > 500 Naturwissenschaften
• ISSN: 0006-3495
• Sprache: Englisch