Design Features to Accelerate the Higher-Order Assembly of DNA Origami on Membranes

J Phys Chem B. 2021 Dec 9;125(48):13181-13191. doi: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c07694. Epub 2021 Nov 24.

Abstract

Nanotechnology often exploits DNA origami nanostructures assembled into even larger superstructures up to micrometer sizes with nanometer shape precision. However, large-scale assembly of such structures is very time-consuming. Here, we investigated the efficiency of superstructure assembly on surfaces using indirect cross-linking through low-complexity connector strands binding staple strand extensions, instead of connector strands binding to scaffold loops. Using single-molecule imaging techniques, including fluorescence microscopy and atomic force microscopy, we show that low sequence complexity connector strands allow formation of DNA origami superstructures on lipid membranes, with an order-of-magnitude enhancement in the assembly speed of superstructures. A number of effects, including suppression of DNA hairpin formation, high local effective binding site concentration, and multivalency are proposed to contribute to the acceleration. Thus, the use of low-complexity sequences for DNA origami higher-order assembly offers a very simple but efficient way of improving throughput in DNA origami design.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • DNA*
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force
  • Nanostructures*
  • Nanotechnology
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation

Substances

  • DNA