Control of enzyme reactions by a reconfigurable DNA nanovault

Nat Commun. 2017 Oct 19;8(1):992. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-01072-8.

Abstract

Biological systems use compartmentalisation as a general strategy to control enzymatic reactions by precisely regulating enzyme-substrate interactions. With the advent of DNA nanotechnology, it has become possible to rationally design DNA-based nano-containers with programmable structural and dynamic properties. These DNA nanostructures have been used to cage enzymes, but control over enzyme-substrate interactions using a dynamic DNA nanostructure has not been achieved yet. Here we introduce a DNA origami device that functions as a nanoscale vault: an enzyme is loaded in an isolated cavity and the access to free substrate molecules is controlled by a multi-lock mechanism. The DNA vault is characterised for features such as reversible opening/closing, cargo loading and wall porosity, and is shown to control the enzymatic reaction catalysed by an encapsulated protease. The DNA vault represents a general concept to control enzyme-substrate interactions by inducing conformational changes in a rationally designed DNA nanodevice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Chymotrypsin / chemistry
  • Chymotrypsin / genetics
  • Chymotrypsin / metabolism*
  • DNA / chemistry*
  • DNA / metabolism
  • Gold / chemistry
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Substrate Specificity

Substances

  • Gold
  • DNA
  • Chymotrypsin
  • alpha-chymotrypsin