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Torkan E, Salmani-Tehrani M. Conformational dynamics and mechanical properties of biomimetic RNA, DNA, and RNA-DNA hybrid nanotubes: an atomistic molecular dynamics study. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023. [PMID: 37309220 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp01028g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
With the nanotechnology boom, artificially designed nucleic acid nanotubes have aroused interest due to their practical applications in nanorobotics, vaccine design, membrane channels, drug delivery, and force sensing. In this paper, computational study was performed to investigate the structural dynamics and mechanical properties of RNA nanotubes (RNTs), DNA nanotubes (DNTs), and RNA-DNA hybrid nanotubes (RDHNTs). So far, the structural and mechanical properties of RDHNTs have not been examined in experiments or theoretical calculations, and there is limited knowledge regarding these properties for RNTs. Here, the simulations were carried out using the equilibrium molecular dynamics (MD) and steered molecular dynamics (SMD) approaches. Using in-house scripting, we modeled hexagonal nanotubes composed of six double-stranded molecules connected by four-way Holliday junctions. Classical MD analyses were performed on the collected trajectory data to investigate structural properties. Analyses of the microscopic structural parameters of RDHNT indicated a structural transition from the A-form to a conformation between the A- and B-forms, which may be attributable to the increased rigidity of RNA scaffolds compared to DNA staples. Comprehensive research on the elastic mechanical properties was also conducted based on spontaneous thermal fluctuations of nanotubes and employing the equipartition theorem. The Young's modulus of RDHNT (E = 165 MPa) and RNT (E = 144 MPa) was found to be almost the same and nearly half of that found for DNT (E = 325 MPa). Furthermore, the results showed that RNT was more resistant to bending, torsional, and volumetric deformations than DNT and RDHNT. We also used non-equilibrium SMD simulations to acquire comprehensive knowledge of the mechanical response of nanotubes to tensile stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Torkan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, 84156-83111, Iran.
| | - Mehdi Salmani-Tehrani
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, 84156-83111, Iran.
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2
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Poppleton E, Urbanek N, Chakraborty T, Griffo A, Monari L, Göpfrich K. RNA origami: design, simulation and application. RNA Biol 2023; 20:510-524. [PMID: 37498217 PMCID: PMC10376919 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2023.2237719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Design strategies for DNA and RNA nanostructures have developed along parallel lines for the past 30 years, from small structural motifs derived from biology to large 'origami' structures with thousands to tens of thousands of bases. With the recent publication of numerous RNA origami structures and improved design methods-even permitting co-transcriptional folding of kilobase-sized structures - the RNA nanotechnolgy field is at an inflection point. Here, we review the key achievements which inspired and enabled RNA origami design and draw comparisons with the development and applications of DNA origami structures. We further present the available computational tools for the design and the simulation, which will be key to the growth of the RNA origami community. Finally, we portray the transition from RNA origami structure to function. Several functional RNA origami structures exist already, their expression in cells has been demonstrated and first applications in cell biology have already been realized. Overall, we foresee that the fast-paced RNA origami field will provide new molecular hardware for biophysics, synthetic biology and biomedicine, complementing the DNA origami toolbox.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Poppleton
- Biophysical Engineering Group, Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Biophysical Engineering Group, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany
- Molecular Biomechanics, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Niklas Urbanek
- Biophysical Engineering Group, Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Biophysical Engineering Group, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Taniya Chakraborty
- Biophysical Engineering Group, Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Biophysical Engineering Group, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alessandra Griffo
- Biophysical Engineering Group, Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Biophysical Engineering Group, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Luca Monari
- Biophysical Engineering Group, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany
- Institut de Science Et D’ingénierie Supramoléculaires (ISIS), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Kerstin Göpfrich
- Biophysical Engineering Group, Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Biophysical Engineering Group, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany
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Dhanasekar NN, Thiyagarajan D, Bhatia D. DNA origami in the quest for membrane piercing. Chem Asian J 2022; 17:e202200591. [PMID: 35947734 DOI: 10.1002/asia.202200591] [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: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The tool kit for label-free single-molecule sensing, nucleic acid sequencing (DNA, RNA and protein) and other biotechnological applications has been significantly broadened due to the wide range of available nanopore-based technologies. Currently, various sources of nanopores, including biological, fabricated solid-state, hybrid and recently de novo chemically synthesized ion-like channels have put in use for rapid single-molecule sensing of biomolecules and other diagnostic applications. At length scales of hundreds of nanometers, DNA nanotechnology, particularly DNA origami-based devices, enables the assembly of complex and dynamic 3-dimensional nanostructures, including nanopores with precise control over the size/shape. DNA origami technology has enabled to construct nanopores by DNA alone or hybrid architects with solid-state nanopore devices or nanocapillaries. In this review, we briefly discuss the nanopore technique that uses DNA nanotechnology to construct such individual pores in lipid-based systems or coupled with other solid-state devices, nanocapillaries for enhanced biosensing function. We summarize various DNA-based design nanopores and explore the sensing properties of such DNA channels. Apart from DNA origami channels we also pointed the design principles of RNA nanopores for peptide sensing applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naresh Niranjan Dhanasekar
- Johns Hopkins University, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, 3400 North Charles Street, 21218, Baltimore, UNITED STATES
| | - Durairaj Thiyagarajan
- Helmholtz-Zentrum fur Infektionsforschung GmbH, Pharmacy and Infections, 66123, Saarbrücken, GERMANY
| | - Dhiraj Bhatia
- Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Biological Engineering, 382355, Gandhi Nagar, INDIA
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4
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Review on the applications of atomic force microscopy imaging in proteins. Micron 2022; 159:103293. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2022.103293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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5
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Wu E, Guo X, Teng X, Zhang R, Li F, Cui Y, Zhang D, Liu Q, Luo J, Wang J, Chen R. Discovery of Plasma Membrane-Associated RNAs through APEX-seq. Cell Biochem Biophys 2021; 79:905-917. [PMID: 34028638 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-021-00991-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In addition to nucleic acids, a variety of other biomolecules have also been found on the plasma membrane. Although researchers have realized that RNA has the ability to bind to membrane vesicles in vitro, little is known about whether and how RNA connects to the plasma membrane of the cell. The combination of high-throughput sequencing and in situ labeling methods provides an innovative approach for large-scale identification of subcellular RNAs. Here, we applied the recently published method APEX-seq and identified 75 RNAs related to the plasma membrane, in which lncRNA PMAR72 (plasma membrane-associated RNA AL121772.1) has a considerable affinity with sphingomyelin (SM) and localizes within distinct membrane foci. Our findings will provide some new evidence to elaborate the relationship between RNA and the plasma membrane of mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erzhong Wu
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Xuzhen Guo
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Xueyi Teng
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Ruijin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Fahui Li
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China
| | - Ya Cui
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China
| | - Dongdong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China
| | - Qinghua Liu
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China
| | - Jianjun Luo
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China.
| | - Jiangyun Wang
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China.
| | - Runsheng Chen
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China.
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Badu S, Melnik R, Singh S. Mathematical and computational models of RNA nanoclusters and their applications in data-driven environments. MOLECULAR SIMULATION 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/08927022.2020.1804564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Shyam Badu
- MS2Discovery Interdisciplinary Research Institute, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Roderick Melnik
- MS2Discovery Interdisciplinary Research Institute, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- BCAM-Basque Center for Applied Mathematics, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Sundeep Singh
- MS2Discovery Interdisciplinary Research Institute, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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Torelli E, Kozyra J, Shirt-Ediss B, Piantanida L, Voïtchovsky K, Krasnogor N. Cotranscriptional Folding of a Bio-orthogonal Fluorescent Scaffolded RNA Origami. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:1682-1692. [PMID: 32470289 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.0c00009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The scaffolded origami technique is an attractive tool for engineering nucleic acid nanostructures. This paper demonstrates scaffolded RNA origami folding in vitro in which, for the first time, all components are transcribed simultaneously in a single-pot reaction. Double-stranded DNA sequences are transcribed by T7 RNA polymerase into scaffold and staple strands able to correctly fold in a high synthesis yield into the nanoribbon. Synthesis is successfully confirmed by atomic force microscopy, and the unpurified transcription reaction mixture is analyzed by an in gel-imaging assay where the transcribed RNA nanoribbons are able to capture the specific dye through the reconstituted split Broccoli aptamer showing a clear green fluorescent band. Finally, we simulate the RNA origami in silico using the nucleotide-level coarse-grained model oxRNA to investigate the thermodynamic stability of the assembled nanostructure in isothermal conditions over a period of time. Our work suggests that the scaffolded origami technique is a viable, and potentially more powerful, assembly alternative to the single-stranded origami technique for future in vivo applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Torelli
- Interdisciplinary Computing and Complex BioSystems (ICOS), Centre for Synthetic Biology and Bioeconomy (CSBB), Devonshire Building, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RX, United Kingdom
| | - Jerzy Kozyra
- Interdisciplinary Computing and Complex BioSystems (ICOS), Centre for Synthetic Biology and Bioeconomy (CSBB), Devonshire Building, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RX, United Kingdom
| | - Ben Shirt-Ediss
- Interdisciplinary Computing and Complex BioSystems (ICOS), Centre for Synthetic Biology and Bioeconomy (CSBB), Devonshire Building, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RX, United Kingdom
| | - Luca Piantanida
- Department of Physics, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | - Kislon Voïtchovsky
- Department of Physics, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | - Natalio Krasnogor
- Interdisciplinary Computing and Complex BioSystems (ICOS), Centre for Synthetic Biology and Bioeconomy (CSBB), Devonshire Building, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RX, United Kingdom
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Coarse-Grained Models of RNA Nanotubes for Large Time Scale Studies in Biomedical Applications. Biomedicines 2020; 8:biomedicines8070195. [PMID: 32640509 PMCID: PMC7400038 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8070195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
In order to describe the physical properties of large time scale biological systems, coarse-grained models play an increasingly important role. In this paper we develop Coarse-Grained (CG) models for RNA nanotubes and then, by using Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation, we study their physical properties. Our exemplifications include RNA nanotubes of 40 nm long, equivalent to 10 RNA nanorings connected in series. The developed methodology is based on a coarse-grained representation of RNA nanotubes, where each coarse bead represents a group of atoms. By decreasing computation cost, this allows us to make computations feasible for realistic structures of interest. In particular, for the developed coarse-grained models with three bead approximations, we calculate the histograms for the bond angles and the dihedral angles. From the dihedral angle histograms, we analyze the characteristics of the links used to build the nanotubes. Furthermore, we also calculate the bead distances along the chains of RNA strands in the nanoclusters. The variations in these features with the size of the nanotube are discussed in detail. Finally, we present the results on the calculation of the root mean square deviations for a developed RNA nanotube to demonstrate the equilibration of the systems for drug delivery and other biomedical applications such as medical imaging and tissue engineering.
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