1
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Kalra S, Donnelly A, Singh N, Matthews D, Del Villar-Guerra R, Bemmer V, Dominguez C, Allcock N, Cherny D, Revyakin A, Rusling DA. Functionalizing DNA Origami by Triplex-Directed Site-Specific Photo-Cross-Linking. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:13617-13628. [PMID: 38695163 PMCID: PMC11100008 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c03413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Here, we present a cross-linking approach to covalently functionalize and stabilize DNA origami structures in a one-pot reaction. Our strategy involves adding nucleotide sequences to adjacent staple strands, so that, upon assembly of the origami structure, the extensions form short hairpin duplexes targetable by psoralen-labeled triplex-forming oligonucleotides bearing other functional groups (pso-TFOs). Subsequent irradiation with UVA light generates psoralen adducts with one or both hairpin staples leading to site-specific attachment of the pso-TFO (and attached group) to the origami with ca. 80% efficiency. Bis-adduct formation between strands in proximal hairpins further tethers the TFO to the structure and generates "superstaples" that improve the structural integrity of the functionalized complex. We show that directing cross-linking to regions outside of the origami core dramatically reduces sensitivity of the structures to thermal denaturation and disassembly by T7 RNA polymerase. We also show that the underlying duplex regions of the origami core are digested by DNase I and thus remain accessible to read-out by DNA-binding proteins. Our strategy is scalable and cost-effective, as it works with existing DNA origami structures, does not require scaffold redesign, and can be achieved with just one psoralen-modified oligonucleotide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shantam Kalra
- Department
of Molecular and Cell Biology, and Leicester Institute of Chemical
Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, U.K.
| | - Amber Donnelly
- Department
of Molecular and Cell Biology, and Leicester Institute of Chemical
Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, U.K.
| | - Nishtha Singh
- Department
of Molecular and Cell Biology, and Leicester Institute of Chemical
Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, U.K.
| | - Daniel Matthews
- Department
of Molecular and Cell Biology, and Leicester Institute of Chemical
Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, U.K.
| | - Rafael Del Villar-Guerra
- Department
of Molecular and Cell Biology, and Leicester Institute of Chemical
Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, U.K.
| | - Victoria Bemmer
- Centre
for Enzyme Innovation, School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO1 2DY, U.K.
| | - Cyril Dominguez
- Department
of Molecular and Cell Biology, and Leicester Institute of Chemical
Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, U.K.
| | - Natalie Allcock
- Core
Biotechnology Services Electron Microscopy Facility, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, U.K.
| | - Dmitry Cherny
- Department
of Molecular and Cell Biology, and Leicester Institute of Chemical
Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, U.K.
| | - Andrey Revyakin
- Department
of Molecular and Cell Biology, and Leicester Institute of Chemical
Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, U.K.
| | - David A. Rusling
- School
of Medicine, Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 2DT, U.K.
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2
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Jiang Q, Shang Y, Xie Y, Ding B. DNA Origami: From Molecular Folding Art to Drug Delivery Technology. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2301035. [PMID: 37715333 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202301035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
DNA molecules that store genetic information in living creatures can be repurposed as building blocks to construct artificial architectures, ranging from the nanoscale to the microscale. The precise fabrication of self-assembled DNA nanomaterials and their various applications have greatly impacted nanoscience and nanotechnology. More specifically, the DNA origami technique has realized the assembly of various nanostructures featuring rationally predesigned geometries, precise addressability, and versatile programmability, as well as remarkable biocompatibility. These features have elevated DNA origami from academic interest to an emerging class of drug delivery platform for a wide range of diseases. In this minireview, the latest advances in the burgeoning field of DNA-origami-based innovative platforms for regulating biological functions and delivering versatile drugs are presented. Challenges regarding the novel drug vehicle's safety, stability, targeting strategy, and future clinical translation are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiao Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for NanoScience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Yingxu Shang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for NanoScience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Yiming Xie
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for NanoScience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, P. R. China
| | - Baoquan Ding
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for NanoScience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, P. R. China
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3
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Vallina NS, McRae EKS, Geary C, Andersen ES. An RNA origami robot that traps and releases a fluorescent aptamer. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk1250. [PMID: 38507482 PMCID: PMC10954211 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk1250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
RNA nanotechnology aims to use RNA as a programmable material to create self-assembling nanodevices for application in medicine and synthetic biology. The main challenge is to develop advanced RNA robotic devices that both sense, compute, and actuate to obtain enhanced control over molecular processes. Here, we use the RNA origami method to prototype an RNA robotic device, named the "Traptamer," that mechanically traps the fluorescent aptamer, iSpinach. The Traptamer is shown to sense two RNA key strands, acts as a Boolean AND gate, and reversibly controls the fluorescence of the iSpinach aptamer. Cryo-electron microscopy of the closed Traptamer structure at 5.45-angstrom resolution reveals the mechanical mode of distortion of the iSpinach motif. Our study suggests a general approach to distorting RNA motifs and a path forward to build sophisticated RNA machines that through sensing, computing, and actuation modules can be used to precisely control RNA functionalities in cellular systems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ewan K. S. McRae
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Center for RNA Therapeutics, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Ave, R10-117, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Cody Geary
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ebbe S. Andersen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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4
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Robbins A, Hildebolt H, Neuhoff M, Beshay P, Winter JO, Castro CE, Bundschuh R, Poirier MG. Cooperative control of a DNA origami force sensor. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4132. [PMID: 38374280 PMCID: PMC10876929 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53841-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Biomolecular systems are dependent on a complex interplay of forces. Modern force spectroscopy techniques provide means of interrogating these forces, but they are not optimized for studies in constrained environments as they require attachment to micron-scale probes such as beads or cantilevers. Nanomechanical devices are a promising alternative, but this requires versatile designs that can be tuned to respond to a wide range of forces. We investigate the properties of a nanoscale force sensitive DNA origami device which is highly customizable in geometry, functionalization, and mechanical properties. The device, referred to as the NanoDyn, has a binary (open or closed) response to an applied force by undergoing a reversible structural transition. The transition force is tuned with minor alterations of 1 to 3 DNA oligonucleotides and spans tens of picoNewtons (pN). The DNA oligonucleotide design parameters also strongly influence the efficiency of resetting the initial state, with higher stability devices (≳10 pN) resetting more reliably during repeated force-loading cycles. Finally, we show the opening force is tunable in real time by adding a single DNA oligonucleotide. These results establish the potential of the NanoDyn as a versatile force sensor and provide fundamental insights into how design parameters modulate mechanical and dynamic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel Robbins
- Biophysics Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Hazen Hildebolt
- Department of Physics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Michael Neuhoff
- Department of Physics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Peter Beshay
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Jessica O Winter
- Biophysics Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
- William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Carlos E Castro
- Biophysics Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Ralf Bundschuh
- Biophysics Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
- Department of Physics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Michael G Poirier
- Biophysics Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
- Department of Physics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
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5
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Kramm K, Schröder T, Vera AM, Grabenhorst L, Tinnefeld P, Grohmann D. DNA Origami-Based Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy and Applications. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2694:479-507. [PMID: 37824019 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3377-9_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Over the last years, single-molecule force spectroscopy provided insights into the intricate connection between mechanical stimuli and biochemical signaling. The underlying molecular mechanisms were uncovered and explored using techniques such as atomic force microscopy and force spectroscopy using optical or magnetic tweezers. These experimental approaches are limited by thermal noise resulting from a physical connection of the studied biological system to the macroscopic world. To overcome this limitation, we recently introduced the DNA origami force clamp (FC) which is a freely diffusing nanodevice that generates piconewton forces on a DNA sequence of interest. Binding of a protein to the DNA under tension can be detected employing fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) as a sensitive readout.This protocol introduces the reader to the working principles of the FC and provides instructions to design and generate a DNA origami FC customized for a protein of interest. Molecular cloning techniques are employed to modify, produce, and purify a custom DNA scaffold. A fluorescently labeled DNA suitable to detect protein binding via FRET is generated via enzymatic ligation of commercial DNA oligonucleotides. After thermal annealing of all components, the DNA origami FC is purified using agarose gel electrophoresis. The final section covers the interrogation of the FC using confocal single-molecule FRET measurements and subsequent data analysis to quantify the binding of a DNA-binding protein to its cognate recognition site under a range of forces. Using this approach, force-dependent DNA-protein interactions can be studied on the single-molecule level on thousands of molecules in a parallelized fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Kramm
- University of Regensburg, Department of Microbiology and Archaea Centre, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Tim Schröder
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Department of Chemistry and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Munich, Germany
| | - Andrés Manuel Vera
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Department of Chemistry and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Munich, Germany
| | - Lennart Grabenhorst
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Department of Chemistry and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Munich, Germany
| | - Philip Tinnefeld
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Department of Chemistry and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Munich, Germany
| | - Dina Grohmann
- University of Regensburg, Department of Microbiology and Archaea Centre, Regensburg, Germany.
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6
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Mentis AFA, Papavassiliou KA, Papavassiliou AG. DNA origami: a tool to evaluate and harness transcription factors. J Mol Med (Berl) 2023; 101:1493-1498. [PMID: 37813986 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-023-02380-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Alongside other players, such as CpG methylation and the "histone code," transcription factors (TFs) represent a key feature of gene regulation. TFs are implicated in critical cellular processes, ranging from cell death, growth, and differentiation, up to intranuclear signaling of steroid and other hormones, physical entities, and hypoxia regulation. Notwithstanding an extensive body of research in this field, several questions and therapeutic options remain unanswered and unexplored, respectively. Of note, many of these TFs represent therapeutic targets, which are either difficult to be pharmacologically tackled or are still not drugged via traditional approaches, such as small-molecule inhibition. Upon providing a brief overview of TFs, we focus herein on how synthetic biology/medicine could assist in their study as well as their therapeutic targeting. Specifically, we contend that DNA origami, i.e., a novel synthetic DNA nanotechnological approach, represents an excellent synthetic biology/medicine tool to accomplish the above goals, since it can harness several vital characteristics of DNA: DNA polymerization, DNA complementarity, DNA "programmability," and DNA "editability." In doing so, DNA origami can be applied to study TF dynamics during DNA transcription, to elucidate xeno-nucleic acids with distinct scaffolds and unconventional base pairs, and to use TFs as competitors of oncogene-engaged promoters. Overall, because of their potential for high-throughput design and their favorable pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties, DNA origami can be a novel armory for TF-related drug design. Last, we discuss future trends in the field, such as RNA origami and innovative DNA origami-based therapeutic delivery approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kostas A Papavassiliou
- First University Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sotiria' Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasios G Papavassiliou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 11527, Greece.
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7
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Kogikoski S, Ameixa J, Mostafa A, Bald I. Lab-on-a-DNA origami: nanoengineered single-molecule platforms. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:4726-4741. [PMID: 37000514 PMCID: PMC10111202 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc00718a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
DNA origami nanostructures are self-assembled into almost arbitrary two- and three-dimensional shapes from a long, single-stranded viral scaffold strand and a set of short artificial oligonucleotides. Each DNA strand can be functionalized individually using well-established DNA chemistry, representing addressable sites that allow for the nanometre precise placement of various chemical entities such as proteins, molecular chromophores, nanoparticles, or simply DNA motifs. By means of microscopic and spectroscopic techniques, these entities can be visualized or detected, and either their mutual interaction or their interaction with external stimuli such as radiation can be studied. This gives rise to the Lab-on-a-DNA origami approach, which is introduced in this Feature Article, and the state-of-the-art is summarized with a focus on light-harvesting nanoantennas and DNA platforms for single-molecule analysis either by optical spectroscopy or atomic force microscopy (AFM). Light-harvesting antennas can be generated by the precise arrangement of chromophores to channel and direct excitation energy. At the same time, plasmonic nanoparticles represent a complementary approach to focus light on the nanoscale. Plasmonic nanoantennas also allow for the observation of single molecules either by Raman scattering or fluorescence spectroscopy and DNA origami platforms provide unique opportunities to arrange nanoparticles and molecules to be studied. Finally, the analysis of single DNA motifs by AFM allows for an investigation of radiation-induced processes in DNA with unprecedented detail and accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Kogikoski
- Institute of Chemistry, Hybrid Nanostructures, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany.
| | - João Ameixa
- Institute of Chemistry, Hybrid Nanostructures, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Amr Mostafa
- Institute of Chemistry, Hybrid Nanostructures, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Ilko Bald
- Institute of Chemistry, Hybrid Nanostructures, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany.
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8
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Gokulu IS, Banta S. Biotechnology applications of proteins functionalized with DNA oligonucleotides. Trends Biotechnol 2023; 41:575-585. [PMID: 36115723 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
The functionalization of proteins with DNA through the formation of covalent bonds enables a wide range of biotechnology advancements. For example, single-molecule analytical methods rely on bioconjugated DNA as elastic biolinkers for protein immobilization. Labeling proteins with DNA enables facile protein identification, as well as spatial and temporal organization and control of protein within DNA-protein networks. Bioconjugation reactions can target native, engineered, and non-canonical amino acids (NCAAs) within proteins. In addition, further protein engineering via the incorporation of peptide tags and self-labeling proteins can also be used for conjugation reactions. The selection of techniques will depend on application requirements such as yield, selectivity, conjugation position, potential for steric hindrance, cost, commercial availability, and potential impact on protein function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ipek Simay Gokulu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, 500 West 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Scott Banta
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, 500 West 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, USA.
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9
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Mills A, Aissaoui N, Finkel J, Elezgaray J, Bellot G. Mechanical DNA Origami to Investigate Biological Systems. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2023; 7:e2200224. [PMID: 36509679 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202200224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The ability to self-assemble DNA nanodevices with programmed structural dynamics that can sense and respond to the local environment can enable transformative applications in fields including mechanobiology and nanomedicine. The responsive function of biomolecules is often driven by alterations in conformational distributions mediated by highly sensitive interactions with the local environment. In this review, the current state-of-the-art in constructing complex DNA geometries with dynamic and mechanical properties to enable a molecular scale force measurement is first summarized. Next, an overview of engineering modular DNA devices that interact with cell surfaces is highlighted detailing examples of mechanosensitive proteins and the force-induced dynamic molecular interaction on the downstream biochemical signaling. Finally, the challenges and an outlook on this promising class of DNA devices acting as nanomachines to operate at a low piconewton range suitable for a majority of biological effects or as hybrid materials to achieve higher tension exertion required for other biological investigations, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan Mills
- Centre de Biologie Structurale, INSERM, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, 34090, France
| | - Nesrine Aissaoui
- Laboratoire CiTCoM, Faculté de Santé, Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Paris, 75006, France
| | - Julie Finkel
- Centre de Biologie Structurale, INSERM, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, 34090, France
| | - Juan Elezgaray
- CRPP, CNRS, UMR 5031, Université de Bordeaux, Pessac, 33600, France
| | - Gaëtan Bellot
- Centre de Biologie Structurale, INSERM, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, 34090, France
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10
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Natarajan AK, Ryssy J, Kuzyk A. A DNA origami-based device for investigating DNA bending proteins by transmission electron microscopy. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:3212-3218. [PMID: 36722916 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr05366g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The DNA origami technique offers precise positioning of nanoscale objects with high accuracy. This has facilitated the development of DNA origami-based functional nanomechanical devices that enable the investigation of DNA-protein interactions at the single particle level. Herein, we used the DNA origami technique to fabricate a nanoscale device for studying DNA bending proteins. For a proof of concept, we used TATA-box binding protein (TBP) to evaluate our approach. Upon binding to the TATA box, TBP causes a bend to DNA of ∼90°. Our device translates this bending into an angular change that is readily observable with a conventional transmission electron microscope (TEM). Furthermore, we investigated the roles of transcription factor II A (TF(II)A) and transcription factor II B (TF(II)B). Our results indicate that TF(II)A introduces additional bending, whereas TF(II)B does not significantly alter the TBP-DNA structure. Our approach can be readily adopted to a wide range of DNA-bending proteins and will aid the development of DNA-origami-based devices tailored for the investigation of DNA-protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwin Karthick Natarajan
- Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University, School of Science, P.O. Box 12200, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland.
| | - Joonas Ryssy
- Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University, School of Science, P.O. Box 12200, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland.
| | - Anton Kuzyk
- Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University, School of Science, P.O. Box 12200, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland.
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11
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Knappe GA, Wamhoff EC, Bathe M. Functionalizing DNA origami to investigate and interact with biological systems. NATURE REVIEWS. MATERIALS 2023; 8:123-138. [PMID: 37206669 PMCID: PMC10191391 DOI: 10.1038/s41578-022-00517-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
DNA origami has emerged as a powerful method to generate DNA nanostructures with dynamic properties and nanoscale control. These nanostructures enable complex biophysical studies and the fabrication of next-generation therapeutic devices. For these applications, DNA origami typically needs to be functionalized with bioactive ligands and biomacromolecular cargos. Here, we review methods developed to functionalize, purify, and characterize DNA origami nanostructures. We identify remaining challenges, such as limitations in functionalization efficiency and characterization. We then discuss where researchers can contribute to further advance the fabrication of functionalized DNA origami.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant A. Knappe
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States of America
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States of America
- Address correspondence to or
| | - Eike-Christian Wamhoff
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States of America
| | - Mark Bathe
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States of America
- Address correspondence to or
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12
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Chen X, Xu Y. Structural insights into assembly of transcription preinitiation complex. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2022; 75:102404. [PMID: 35700575 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2022.102404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
RNA polymerase II (Pol II)-mediated transcription in eukaryotic cells starts with assembly of preinitiation complex (PIC) on core promoter, a DNA sequence of ∼100 base pairs. The transcription PIC consists of Pol II and general transcription factors TFIID, TFIIA, TFIIB, TFIIF, TFIIE, and TFIIH. Previous structural studies focused on PIC assembled on TATA box promoters with TFIID replaced by its subunit, TATA box-binding protein (TBP). However, the megadalton TFIID complex is essential for promoter recognition, TBP loading onto promoter, and PIC assembly for almost all Pol II-mediated transcription, especially on the TATA-less promoters, which account for ∼85% of core promoters of human coding genes. The functions of TFIID could not be replaced by TBP. The recent breakthrough in structure determination of TFIID-based PIC complexes in different assembly stages revealed mechanistic insights into PIC assembly on TATA box and TATA-less promotes and provided a framework for further investigation of transcription initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xizi Chen
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yanhui Xu
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, China; Department of Systems Biology for Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Human Phenome Institute, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
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13
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Hübner K, Raab M, Bohlen J, Bauer J, Tinnefeld P. Salt-induced conformational switching of a flat rectangular DNA origami structure. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:7898-7905. [PMID: 35587049 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr07793g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
A rectangular DNA origami structure is one of the most studied and often used motif for applications in DNA nanotechnology. Here, we present two assays to study structural changes in DNA nanostructures and reveal a reversible rolling-up of the rectangular DNA origami structure induced by bivalent cations such as magnesium or calcium. First, we applied one-color and two-color superresolution DNA-PAINT with protruding strands along the long edges of the DNA origami rectangle. At increasing salt concentration, a single line instead of two lines is observed as a first indicator of rolling-up. Two-color measurements also revealed different conformations with parallel and angled edges. Second, we placed a gold nanoparticle and a dye molecule at different positions on the DNA origami structure. Distance dependent fluorescence quenching by the nanoparticle reports on dynamic transitions as well as it provides evidence that the rolling-up occurs preferentially along the diagonal of the DNA origami rectangle. The results will be helpful to test DNA structural models and the assays presented will be useful to study further structural transitions in DNA nanotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Hübner
- Department of Chemistry and Center for NanoScience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstr. 5-13 Haus E, 81377 München, Germany.
| | - Mario Raab
- Department of Chemistry and Center for NanoScience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstr. 5-13 Haus E, 81377 München, Germany.
| | - Johann Bohlen
- Department of Chemistry and Center for NanoScience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstr. 5-13 Haus E, 81377 München, Germany.
| | - Julian Bauer
- Department of Chemistry and Center for NanoScience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstr. 5-13 Haus E, 81377 München, Germany.
| | - Philip Tinnefeld
- Department of Chemistry and Center for NanoScience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstr. 5-13 Haus E, 81377 München, Germany.
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14
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Darcy M, Crocker K, Wang Y, Le JV, Mohammadiroozbahani G, Abdelhamid MAS, Craggs TD, Castro CE, Bundschuh R, Poirier MG. High-Force Application by a Nanoscale DNA Force Spectrometer. ACS NANO 2022; 16:5682-5695. [PMID: 35385658 PMCID: PMC9048690 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c10698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The ability to apply and measure high forces (>10 pN) on the nanometer scale is critical to the development of nanomedicine, molecular robotics, and the understanding of biological processes such as chromatin condensation, membrane deformation, and viral packaging. Established force spectroscopy techniques including optical traps, magnetic tweezers, and atomic force microscopy rely on micron-sized or larger handles to apply forces, limiting their applications within constrained geometries including cellular environments and nanofluidic devices. A promising alternative to these approaches is DNA-based molecular calipers. However, this approach is currently limited to forces on the scale of a few piconewtons. To study the force application capabilities of DNA devices, we implemented DNA origami nanocalipers with tunable mechanical properties in a geometry that allows application of force to rupture a DNA duplex. We integrated static and dynamic single-molecule characterization methods and statistical mechanical modeling to quantify the device properties including force output and dynamic range. We found that the thermally driven dynamics of the device are capable of applying forces of at least 20 piconewtons with a nanometer-scale dynamic range. These characteristics could eventually be used to study other biomolecular processes such as protein unfolding or to control high-affinity interactions in nanomechanical devices or molecular robots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Darcy
- Department
of Physics, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Biophysics Graduate
Program, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Division of Hematology, Department
of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Kyle Crocker
- Department
of Physics, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Biophysics Graduate
Program, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Division of Hematology, Department
of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Yuchen Wang
- Department
of Physics, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Biophysics Graduate
Program, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Division of Hematology, Department
of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Jenny V. Le
- Department
of Physics, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Biophysics Graduate
Program, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Division of Hematology, Department
of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Golbarg Mohammadiroozbahani
- Department
of Physics, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Biophysics Graduate
Program, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Division of Hematology, Department
of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | | | - Timothy D. Craggs
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7HF, U.K.
| | - Carlos E. Castro
- Department
of Physics, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Biophysics Graduate
Program, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Division of Hematology, Department
of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Ralf Bundschuh
- Department
of Physics, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Biophysics Graduate
Program, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Division of Hematology, Department
of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Michael G. Poirier
- Department
of Physics, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Biophysics Graduate
Program, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Division of Hematology, Department
of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
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15
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Hanke M, Hansen N, Chen R, Grundmeier G, Fahmy K, Keller A. Salting-Out of DNA Origami Nanostructures by Ammonium Sulfate. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052817. [PMID: 35269959 PMCID: PMC8911265 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA origami technology enables the folding of DNA strands into complex nanoscale shapes whose properties and interactions with molecular species often deviate significantly from that of genomic DNA. Here, we investigate the salting-out of different DNA origami shapes by the kosmotropic salt ammonium sulfate that is routinely employed in protein precipitation. We find that centrifugation in the presence of 3 M ammonium sulfate results in notable precipitation of DNA origami nanostructures but not of double-stranded genomic DNA. The precipitated DNA origami nanostructures can be resuspended in ammonium sulfate-free buffer without apparent formation of aggregates or loss of structural integrity. Even though quasi-1D six-helix bundle DNA origami are slightly less susceptible toward salting-out than more compact DNA origami triangles and 24-helix bundles, precipitation and recovery yields appear to be mostly independent of DNA origami shape and superstructure. Exploiting the specificity of ammonium sulfate salting-out for DNA origami nanostructures, we further apply this method to separate DNA origami triangles from genomic DNA fragments in a complex mixture. Our results thus demonstrate the possibility of concentrating and purifying DNA origami nanostructures by ammonium sulfate-induced salting-out.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Hanke
- Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, Paderborn University, Warburger Str. 100, 33098 Paderborn, Germany; (M.H.); (N.H.); (R.C.); (G.G.)
| | - Niklas Hansen
- Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, Paderborn University, Warburger Str. 100, 33098 Paderborn, Germany; (M.H.); (N.H.); (R.C.); (G.G.)
| | - Ruiping Chen
- Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, Paderborn University, Warburger Str. 100, 33098 Paderborn, Germany; (M.H.); (N.H.); (R.C.); (G.G.)
| | - Guido Grundmeier
- Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, Paderborn University, Warburger Str. 100, 33098 Paderborn, Germany; (M.H.); (N.H.); (R.C.); (G.G.)
| | - Karim Fahmy
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Resource Ecology, Bautzner Landstrasse 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany;
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Adrian Keller
- Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, Paderborn University, Warburger Str. 100, 33098 Paderborn, Germany; (M.H.); (N.H.); (R.C.); (G.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-5251-605722
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16
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Tseng CY, Wang WX, Douglas TR, Chou LYT. Engineering DNA Nanostructures to Manipulate Immune Receptor Signaling and Immune Cell Fates. Adv Healthc Mater 2022; 11:e2101844. [PMID: 34716686 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202101844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Immune cells sense, communicate, and logically integrate a multitude of environmental signals to make important cell-fate decisions and fulfill their effector functions. These processes are initiated and regulated by a diverse array of immune receptors and via their dynamic spatiotemporal organization upon ligand binding. Given the widespread relevance of the immune system to health and disease, there have been significant efforts toward understanding the biophysical principles governing immune receptor signaling and activation, as well as the development of biomaterials which exploit these principles for therapeutic immune engineering. Here, how advances in the field of DNA nanotechnology constitute a growing toolbox for further pursuit of these endeavors is discussed. Key cellular players involved in the induction of immunity against pathogens or diseased cells are first summarized. How the ability to design DNA nanostructures with custom shapes, dynamics, and with site-specific incorporation of diverse guests can be leveraged to manipulate the signaling pathways that regulate these processes is then presented. It is followed by highlighting emerging applications of DNA nanotechnology at the crossroads of immune engineering, such as in vitro reconstitution platforms, vaccines, and adjuvant delivery systems. Finally, outstanding questions that remain for further advancing immune-modulatory DNA nanodevices are outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung Yi Tseng
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering University of Toronto Toronto Ontario M5S 3G9 Canada
| | - Wendy Xueyi Wang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering University of Toronto Toronto Ontario M5S 3G9 Canada
| | - Travis Robert Douglas
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering University of Toronto Toronto Ontario M5S 3G9 Canada
| | - Leo Y. T. Chou
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering University of Toronto Toronto Ontario M5S 3G9 Canada
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17
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Pilsl M, Engel C. Structural Studies of Eukaryotic RNA Polymerase I Using Cryo-Electron Microscopy. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2533:71-80. [PMID: 35796983 PMCID: PMC9761920 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2501-9_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Technical advances have pushed the resolution limit of single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) throughout the past decade and made the technique accessible to a wide range of samples. Among them, multisubunit DNA-dependent RNA polymerases (Pols) are a prominent example. This review aims at briefly summarizing the architecture and structural adaptations of Pol I, highlighting the importance of cryo-electron microscopy in determining the structures of transcription complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Pilsl
- Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Engel
- Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
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18
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Su H, Brockman JM, Duan Y, Sen N, Chhabra H, Bazrafshan A, Blanchard AT, Meyer T, Andrews B, Doye JPK, Ke Y, Dyer RB, Salaita K. Massively Parallelized Molecular Force Manipulation with On-Demand Thermal and Optical Control. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:19466-19473. [PMID: 34762807 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c08796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
In single-molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS), a tethered molecule is stretched using a specialized instrument to study how macromolecules extend under force. One problem in SMFS is the serial and slow nature of the measurements, performed one molecule at a time. To address this long-standing challenge, we report on the origami polymer force clamp (OPFC) which enables parallelized manipulation of the mechanical forces experienced by molecules without the need for dedicated SMFS instruments or surface tethering. The OPFC positions target molecules between a rigid nanoscale DNA origami beam and a responsive polymer particle that shrinks on demand. As a proof-of-concept, we record the steady state and time-resolved mechanical unfolding dynamics of DNA hairpins using the fluorescence signal from ensembles of molecules and confirm our conclusion using modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanquan Su
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Joshua M Brockman
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Yuxin Duan
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Navoneel Sen
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QZ, United Kingdom
| | - Hemani Chhabra
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QZ, United Kingdom
| | - Alisina Bazrafshan
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Aaron T Blanchard
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Travis Meyer
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Brooke Andrews
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Jonathan P K Doye
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QZ, United Kingdom
| | - Yonggang Ke
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States.,Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - R Brian Dyer
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Khalid Salaita
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States.,Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
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19
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Pitikultham P, Wang Z, Wang Y, Shang Y, Jiang Q, Ding B. Stimuli-Responsive DNA Origami Nanodevices and Their Biological Applications. ChemMedChem 2021; 17:e202100635. [PMID: 34729948 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
DNA origami nanotechnology has provided predictable static nanoarchitectures and dynamic nanodevices with rationally designed geometries, precise spatial addressability, and marked biocompatibility. Multiple functional elements, such as peptides, aptamers, nanoparticles, fluorescence probes, and proteins, etc. can be easily integrated into DNA origami templates with nanoscale precision, leading to a variety of promising applications. Triggered by chemical/physical stimuli, dynamic DNA origami nanodevices can switch between defined conformations or translocate autonomously, providing powerful tools for intelligent biosensing and drug delivery. In this minireview, we summarize the recent progress of dynamic DNA origami nanodevices with desired reconfigurability and feasibility to perform multiple biological tasks. We introduce varieties of DNA nanodevices that can be controlled by different molecular triggers and external stimuli. Subsequently, we highlight the recent advances in employing DNA nanodevices as biosensors and drug delivery vehicles. At last, future possibilities and perspectives are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piyawat Pitikultham
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, 11 BeiYiTiao ZhongGuanCun, Beijing, 100190, China.,School of Nanoscience and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhaoran Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, 11 BeiYiTiao ZhongGuanCun, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Yiming Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, 11 BeiYiTiao ZhongGuanCun, Beijing, 100190, China.,School of Nanoscience and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yingxu Shang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, 11 BeiYiTiao ZhongGuanCun, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Qiao Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, 11 BeiYiTiao ZhongGuanCun, Beijing, 100190, China.,School of Nanoscience and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Baoquan Ding
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, 11 BeiYiTiao ZhongGuanCun, Beijing, 100190, China.,School of Nanoscience and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.,School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
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20
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Ochmann SE, Joshi H, Büber E, Franquelim HG, Stegemann P, Saccà B, Keyser UF, Aksimentiev A, Tinnefeld P. DNA Origami Voltage Sensors for Transmembrane Potentials with Single-Molecule Sensitivity. NANO LETTERS 2021; 21:8634-8641. [PMID: 34662130 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c02584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Signal transmission in neurons goes along with changes in the transmembrane potential. To report them, different approaches, including optical voltage-sensing dyes and genetically encoded voltage indicators, have evolved. Here, we present a DNA nanotechnology-based system and demonstrated its functionality on liposomes. Using DNA origami, we incorporated and optimized different properties such as membrane targeting and voltage sensing modularly. As a sensing unit, we used a hydrophobic red dye anchored to the membrane and an anionic green dye at the DNA to connect the nanostructure and the membrane dye anchor. Voltage-induced displacement of the anionic donor unit was read out by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) changes of single sensors attached to liposomes. A FRET change of ∼5% for ΔΨ = 100 mV was observed. The working mechanism of the sensor was rationalized by molecular dynamics simulations. Our approach holds potential for an application as nongenetically encoded membrane sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Ochmann
- Department of Chemistry and Center for NanoScience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 München, Germany
| | - Himanshu Joshi
- Department of Physics and Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61820, United States
| | - Ece Büber
- Department of Chemistry and Center for NanoScience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 München, Germany
| | | | - Pierre Stegemann
- Center of Medical Biotechnology (ZMB) and Center for Nano Integration Duisburg-Essen (CENIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen, Germany
| | - Barbara Saccà
- Center of Medical Biotechnology (ZMB) and Center for Nano Integration Duisburg-Essen (CENIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen, Germany
| | - Ulrich F Keyser
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
| | - Aleksei Aksimentiev
- Department of Physics and Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61820, United States
| | - Philip Tinnefeld
- Department of Chemistry and Center for NanoScience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 München, Germany
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21
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Wang Y, Le JV, Crocker K, Darcy MA, Halley PD, Zhao D, Andrioff N, Croy C, Poirier MG, Bundschuh R, Castro CE. A nanoscale DNA force spectrometer capable of applying tension and compression on biomolecules. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:8987-8999. [PMID: 34358322 PMCID: PMC8421221 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Single molecule force spectroscopy is a powerful approach to probe the structure, conformational changes, and kinetic properties of biological and synthetic macromolecules. However, common approaches to apply forces to biomolecules require expensive and cumbersome equipment and relatively large probes such as beads or cantilevers, which limits their use for many environments and makes integrating with other methods challenging. Furthermore, existing methods have key limitations such as an inability to apply compressive forces on single molecules. We report a nanoscale DNA force spectrometer (nDFS), which is based on a DNA origami hinge with tunable mechanical and dynamic properties. The angular free energy landscape of the nDFS can be engineered across a wide range through substitution of less than 5% of the strand components. We further incorporate a removable strut that enables reversible toggling of the nDFS between open and closed states to allow for actuated application of tensile and compressive forces. We demonstrate the ability to apply compressive forces by inducing a large bend in a 249bp DNA molecule, and tensile forces by inducing DNA unwrapping of a nucleosome sample. These results establish a versatile tool for force spectroscopy and robust methods for designing nanoscale mechanical devices with tunable force application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Wang
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Jenny V Le
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Biophysics Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Kyle Crocker
- Department of Physics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Michael A Darcy
- Department of Physics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Patrick D Halley
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Dengke Zhao
- Department of Physics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Nick Andrioff
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Cassie Croy
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Michael G Poirier
- Biophysics Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Department of Physics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Ralf Bundschuh
- Biophysics Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Department of Physics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Carlos E Castro
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Biophysics Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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22
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Chen X, Qi Y, Wu Z, Wang X, Li J, Zhao D, Hou H, Li Y, Yu Z, Liu W, Wang M, Ren Y, Li Z, Yang H, Xu Y. Structural insights into preinitiation complex assembly on core promoters. Science 2021; 372:science.aba8490. [PMID: 33795473 DOI: 10.1126/science.aba8490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Transcription factor IID (TFIID) recognizes core promoters and supports preinitiation complex (PIC) assembly for RNA polymerase II (Pol II)-mediated eukaryotic transcription. We determined the structures of human TFIID-based PIC in three stepwise assembly states and revealed two-track PIC assembly: stepwise promoter deposition to Pol II and extensive modular reorganization on track I (on TATA-TFIID-binding element promoters) versus direct promoter deposition on track II (on TATA-only and TATA-less promoters). The two tracks converge at an ~50-subunit holo PIC in identical conformation, whereby TFIID stabilizes PIC organization and supports loading of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)-activating kinase (CAK) onto Pol II and CAK-mediated phosphorylation of the Pol II carboxyl-terminal domain. Unexpectedly, TBP of TFIID similarly bends TATA box and TATA-less promoters in PIC. Our study provides structural visualization of stepwise PIC assembly on highly diversified promoters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xizi Chen
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yilun Qi
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zihan Wu
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xinxin Wang
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jiabei Li
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Dan Zhao
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Haifeng Hou
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yan Li
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zishuo Yu
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Weida Liu
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Mo Wang
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yulei Ren
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ze Li
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Huirong Yang
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yanhui Xu
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China. .,The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, China, Department of Systems Biology for Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.,Human Phenome Institute, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
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23
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Abstract
DNA origami enables the bottom-up construction of chemically addressable, nanoscale objects with user-defined shapes and tailored functionalities. As such, not only can DNA origami objects be used to improve existing experimental methods in biophysics, but they also open up completely new avenues of exploration. In this review, we discuss basic biophysical concepts that are relevant for prospective DNA origami users. We summarize biochemical strategies for interfacing DNA origami with biomolecules of interest. We describe various applications of DNA origami, emphasizing the added value or new biophysical insights that can be generated: rulers and positioning devices, force measurement and force application devices, alignment supports for structural analysis for biomolecules in cryogenic electron microscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance, probes for manipulating and interacting with lipid membranes, and programmable nanopores. We conclude with some thoughts on so-far little explored opportunities for using DNA origami in more complex environments such as the cell or even organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wouter Engelen
- Physik Department, Technische Universität München, 85748 Garching bei München, Germany;
| | - Hendrik Dietz
- Physik Department, Technische Universität München, 85748 Garching bei München, Germany;
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24
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25
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Wang W, Arias DS, Deserno M, Ren X, Taylor RE. Emerging applications at the interface of DNA nanotechnology and cellular membranes: Perspectives from biology, engineering, and physics. APL Bioeng 2020; 4:041507. [PMID: 33344875 PMCID: PMC7725538 DOI: 10.1063/5.0027022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA nanotechnology has proven exceptionally apt at probing and manipulating biological environments as it can create nanostructures of almost arbitrary shape that permit countless types of modifications, all while being inherently biocompatible. Emergent areas of particular interest are applications involving cellular membranes, but to fully explore the range of possibilities requires interdisciplinary knowledge of DNA nanotechnology, cell and membrane biology, and biophysics. In this review, we aim for a concise introduction to the intersection of these three fields. After briefly revisiting DNA nanotechnology, as well as the biological and mechanical properties of lipid bilayers and cellular membranes, we summarize strategies to mediate interactions between membranes and DNA nanostructures, with a focus on programmed delivery onto, into, and through lipid membranes. We also highlight emerging applications, including membrane sculpting, multicell self-assembly, spatial arrangement and organization of ligands and proteins, biomechanical sensing, synthetic DNA nanopores, biological imaging, and biomelecular sensing. Many critical but exciting challenges lie ahead, and we outline what strikes us as promising directions when translating DNA nanostructures for future in vitro and in vivo membrane applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weitao Wang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
| | - D. Sebastian Arias
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
| | - Markus Deserno
- Department of Physics, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
| | - Xi Ren
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
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26
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Chhabra H, Mishra G, Cao Y, Prešern D, Skoruppa E, Tortora MMC, Doye JPK. Computing the Elastic Mechanical Properties of Rodlike DNA Nanostructures. J Chem Theory Comput 2020; 16:7748-7763. [PMID: 33164531 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.0c00661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
To study the elastic properties of rodlike DNA nanostructures, we perform long simulations of these structures using the oxDNA coarse-grained model. By analyzing the fluctuations in these trajectories, we obtain estimates of the bend and twist persistence lengths and the underlying bend and twist elastic moduli and couplings between them. Only on length scales beyond those associated with the spacings between the interhelix crossovers do the bending fluctuations behave like those of a wormlike chain. The obtained bending persistence lengths are much larger than that for double-stranded DNA and increase nonlinearly with the number of helices, whereas the twist moduli increase approximately linearly. To within the numerical error in our data, the twist-bend coupling constants are of order zero. That the bending persistence lengths that we obtain are generally somewhat higher than in experiment probably reflects both that the simulated origamis have no assembly defects and that the oxDNA extensional modulus for double-stranded DNA is too large.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemani Chhabra
- Physical & Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QZ, United Kingdom
| | - Garima Mishra
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, India
| | - Yijing Cao
- Physical & Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QZ, United Kingdom
| | - Domen Prešern
- Physical & Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QZ, United Kingdom
| | - Enrico Skoruppa
- Laboratory for Soft Matter and Biophysics, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200D, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maxime M C Tortora
- Physical & Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QZ, United Kingdom.,Laboratory of Biology and Modeling of the Cell, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, 46, allée d'Italie, 69364 Lyon Cedex 07, France
| | - Jonathan P K Doye
- Physical & Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QZ, United Kingdom
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27
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Engel MC, Romano F, Louis AA, Doye JPK. Measuring Internal Forces in Single-Stranded DNA: Application to a DNA Force Clamp. J Chem Theory Comput 2020; 16:7764-7775. [PMID: 33147408 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.0c00286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
We present a new method for calculating internal forces in DNA structures using coarse-grained models and demonstrate its utility with the oxDNA model. The instantaneous forces on individual nucleotides are explored and related to model potentials, and using our framework, internal forces are calculated for two simple DNA systems and for a recently published nanoscopic force clamp. Our results highlight some pitfalls associated with conventional methods for estimating internal forces, which are based on elastic polymer models, and emphasize the importance of carefully considering secondary structure and ionic conditions when modeling the elastic behavior of single-stranded DNA. Beyond its relevance to the DNA nanotechnological community, we expect our approach to be broadly applicable to calculations of internal force in a variety of structures-from DNA to protein-and across other coarse-grained simulation models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan C Engel
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, 29 Oxford Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States.,Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics, University of Oxford, 1 Keble Road, Oxford, OX1 3NP, U.K
| | - Flavio Romano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Molecolari e Nanosistemi, Universitá Ca Foscari di Venezia, Via Torino 155, 30172, Venezia Mestre, Italy
| | - Ard A Louis
- Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics, University of Oxford, 1 Keble Road, Oxford, OX1 3NP, U.K
| | - Jonathan P K Doye
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QZ, U.K
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28
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Structure of the TFIIIC subcomplex τA provides insights into RNA polymerase III pre-initiation complex formation. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4905. [PMID: 32999288 PMCID: PMC7528018 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18707-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription factor (TF) IIIC is a conserved eukaryotic six-subunit protein complex with dual function. It serves as a general TF for most RNA polymerase (Pol) III genes by recruiting TFIIIB, but it is also involved in chromatin organization and regulation of Pol II genes through interaction with CTCF and condensin II. Here, we report the structure of the S. cerevisiae TFIIIC subcomplex τA, which contains the most conserved subunits of TFIIIC and is responsible for recruitment of TFIIIB and transcription start site (TSS) selection at Pol III genes. We show that τA binding to its promoter is auto-inhibited by a disordered acidic tail of subunit τ95. We further provide a negative-stain reconstruction of τA bound to the TFIIIB subunits Brf1 and TBP. This shows that a ruler element in τA achieves positioning of TFIIIB upstream of the TSS, and suggests remodeling of the complex during assembly of TFIIIB by TFIIIC.
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