Artificial Smooth Muscle Model Composed of Hierarchically Ordered Microtubule Asters Mediated by DNA Origami Nanostructures.

Matsuda, Kento; Kabir, Arif Md Rashedul; Akamatsu, Naohide; Saito, Ai; Ishikawa, Shumpei; Matsuyama, Tsuyoshi; Ditzer, Oliver; Islam, Md Sirajul et al. · Nano Lett · 2019

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

DNA has been well-known for its applications in programmable self-assembly of materials. Nonetheless, utility of DNA origami, which offers more opportunity to realize complicated operations, has been very limited. Here we report self-assembly of a biomolecular motor system, microtubule-kinesin mediated by DNA origami nanostructures. We demonstrate that a rodlike DNA origami motif facilitates self-assembly of microtubules into asters. A smooth-muscle like molecular contraction system has also been realized using the DNA origami in which self-assembled microtubules exhibited fast and dynamic contraction in the presence of kinesins through an energy dissipative process. This work provides potential nanotechnological applications of DNA and biomolecular motor proteins.

Medical subject headings