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Offenbartl‐Stiegert D, Rottensteiner A, Dorey A, Howorka S. A Light-Triggered Synthetic Nanopore for Controlling Molecular Transport Across Biological Membranes. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202210886. [PMID: 36318092 PMCID: PMC10098474 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202210886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Controlling biological molecular processes with light is of interest in biological research and biomedicine, as light allows precise and selective activation in a non-invasive and non-toxic manner. A molecular process benefitting from light control is the transport of cargo across biological membranes, which is conventionally achieved by membrane-puncturing barrel-shaped nanopores. Yet, there is also considerable gain in constructing more complex gated pores. Here, we pioneer a synthetic light-gated nanostructure which regulates transport across membranes via a controllable lid. The light-triggered nanopore is self-assembled from six pore-forming DNA strands and a lid strand carrying light-switchable azobenzene molecules. Exposure to light opens the pore to allow small-molecule transport across membranes. Our light-triggered pore advances biomimetic chemistry and DNA nanotechnology and may be used in biotechnology, biosensing, targeted drug release, or synthetic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Offenbartl‐Stiegert
- Department of ChemistryInstitute for Structural and Molecular BiologyUniversity College LondonWC1H0AJLondonUK
| | - Alexia Rottensteiner
- Department of ChemistryInstitute for Structural and Molecular BiologyUniversity College LondonWC1H0AJLondonUK
| | - Adam Dorey
- Department of ChemistryInstitute for Structural and Molecular BiologyUniversity College LondonWC1H0AJLondonUK
| | - Stefan Howorka
- Department of ChemistryInstitute for Structural and Molecular BiologyUniversity College LondonWC1H0AJLondonUK
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Qin S, Huang K, Szleifer I. Design of Multifunctional Nanopore Using Polyampholyte Brush with Composition Gradient. ACS NANO 2021; 15:17678-17688. [PMID: 34708653 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c05543] [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
Molecular organizations and charge patterns inside biological nanopores are optimized by evolution to enhance ionic and molecular transport. Inspired by the nuclear pore complex that employs asymmetrically arranged disordered proteins for its gating, we here design an artificial nanopore coated by an asymmetric polyampholyte brush as a model system to study the asymmetric mass transport under nanoconfinement. A nonequilibrium steady-state molecular theory is developed to account for the intricate charge regulation effect of the weak polyampholyte and to address the coupling between the polymer conformation and the external electric field. On the basis of this state-of-the-art theoretical method, we present a comprehensive theoretical description of the stimuli-responsive structural behaviors and transport properties inside the nanopore with all molecular details considered. Our model demonstrates that by incorporating a gradient of pH sensitivity into the polymer coatings of the nanopore, a variety of asymmetric charge patterns and functional structures can be achieved, in a pH-responsive manner that allows for multiple functions to be implemented into the designed system. The asymmetric charge pattern inside the nanopore leads to an electrostatic trap for major current carriers, which turns the nanopore into an ionic rectifier with a rectification factor above 1000 at optimized pH and salt concentration. Our theory further predicts that the nanopore design behaves like a double-gated nanofluidic device with pH-triggered opening of the gates, which can serve as an ion pump and pH-responsive molecular filter. These results deepen our understanding of asymmetric transport in nanoconfined systems and provide guidelines for designing polymer-coated smart nanopores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyi Qin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Chemistry, and Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Kai Huang
- Institute of Systems and Physical Biology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Igal Szleifer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Chemistry, and Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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Chen D, Yang S, Han H, Song L, Huang D, Lin X, Xu X, Yang Q. The Construction of DNA Logic Gates Restricted to Certain Live Cells Based on the Structure Programmability and Aptamer-Cell Affinity of G-Quadruplexes. Chemistry 2021; 27:11627-11632. [PMID: 34046964 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202100913] [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: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
DNA computation is considered a fascinating alternative to silicon-based computers; it has evoked substantial attention and made rapid advances. Besides realizing versatile functions, implementing spatiotemporal control of logic operations, especially at the cellular level, is also of great significance to the development of DNA computation. However, developing simple and efficient methods to restrict DNA logic gates performing in live cells is still a challenge. In this work, a series of DNA logic gates was designed by taking full advantage of the diversity and programmability of the G-quadruplex (G4) structure. More importantly, by further using the high affinity and specific endocytosis of cells to aptamer G4, an INHIBIT logic gate has been realized whose operational site is precisely restricted to specific live cells. The design strategy might have great potential in the field of molecular computation and smart bio-applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Die Chen
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and, Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, P.R. China
| | - Shu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and, Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, P.R. China
| | - Huayi Han
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and, Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, P.R. China
| | - Lingbo Song
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and, Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, P.R. China
| | - Dan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry & Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, P.R. China
| | - Xiao Lin
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry & Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoping Xu
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and, Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, P.R. China
| | - Qianfan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry & Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, P.R. China
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Arulkumaran N, Lanphere C, Gaupp C, Burns JR, Singer M, Howorka S. DNA Nanodevices with Selective Immune Cell Interaction and Function. ACS NANO 2021; 15:4394-4404. [PMID: 33492943 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c07915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
DNA nanotechnology produces precision nanostructures of defined chemistry. Expanding their use in biomedicine requires designed biomolecular interaction and function. Of topical interest are DNA nanostructures that function as vaccines with potential advantages over nonstructured nucleic acids in terms of serum stability and selective interaction with human immune cells. Here, we describe how compact DNA nanobarrels bind with a 400-fold selectivity via membrane anchors to white blood immune cells over erythrocytes, without affecting cell viability. The selectivity is based on the preference of the cholesterol lipid anchor for the more fluid immune cell membranes compared to the lower membrane fluidity of erythrocytes. Compacting DNA into the nanostructures gives rise to increased serum stability. The DNA barrels furthermore functionally modulate white blood cells by suppressing the immune response to pro-inflammatory endotoxin lipopolysaccharide. This is likely due to electrostatic or steric blocking of toll-like receptors on white blood cells. Our findings on immune cell-specific DNA nanostructures may be applied for vaccine development, immunomodulatory therapy to suppress septic shock, or the targeting of bioactive substances to immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishkantha Arulkumaran
- Division of Medicine, Bloomsbury Institute of Intensive Care Medicine, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Conor Lanphere
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Structural Molecular Biology, University College London, London WC1H 0AJ, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotte Gaupp
- Division of Medicine, Bloomsbury Institute of Intensive Care Medicine, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan R Burns
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Structural Molecular Biology, University College London, London WC1H 0AJ, United Kingdom
| | - Mervyn Singer
- Division of Medicine, Bloomsbury Institute of Intensive Care Medicine, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Stefan Howorka
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Structural Molecular Biology, University College London, London WC1H 0AJ, United Kingdom
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