1
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Korosec CS, Unksov IN, Surendiran P, Lyttleton R, Curmi PMG, Angstmann CN, Eichhorn R, Linke H, Forde NR. Motility of an autonomous protein-based artificial motor that operates via a burnt-bridge principle. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1511. [PMID: 38396042 PMCID: PMC10891099 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45570-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Inspired by biology, great progress has been made in creating artificial molecular motors. However, the dream of harnessing proteins - the building blocks selected by nature - to design autonomous motors has so far remained elusive. Here we report the synthesis and characterization of the Lawnmower, an autonomous, protein-based artificial molecular motor comprised of a spherical hub decorated with proteases. Its "burnt-bridge" motion is directed by cleavage of a peptide lawn, promoting motion towards unvisited substrate. We find that Lawnmowers exhibit directional motion with average speeds of up to 80 nm/s, comparable to biological motors. By selectively patterning the peptide lawn on microfabricated tracks, we furthermore show that the Lawnmower is capable of track-guided motion. Our work opens an avenue towards nanotechnology applications of artificial protein motors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chapin S Korosec
- Department of Physics, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada.
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, York University, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada.
| | - Ivan N Unksov
- NanoLund and Solid State Physics, Lund University, Box 118, SE - 22100, Lund, Sweden
| | - Pradheebha Surendiran
- NanoLund and Solid State Physics, Lund University, Box 118, SE - 22100, Lund, Sweden
| | - Roman Lyttleton
- NanoLund and Solid State Physics, Lund University, Box 118, SE - 22100, Lund, Sweden
| | - Paul M G Curmi
- School of Physics, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Christopher N Angstmann
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Ralf Eichhorn
- Nordita, Royal Institute of Technology and Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Heiner Linke
- NanoLund and Solid State Physics, Lund University, Box 118, SE - 22100, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Nancy R Forde
- Department of Physics, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada.
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2
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Unksov IN, Korosec CS, Surendiran P, Verardo D, Lyttleton R, Forde NR, Linke H. Through the Eyes of Creators: Observing Artificial Molecular Motors. ACS NANOSCIENCE AU 2022; 2:140-159. [PMID: 35726277 PMCID: PMC9204826 DOI: 10.1021/acsnanoscienceau.1c00041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
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Inspired by molecular
motors in biology, there has been significant
progress in building artificial molecular motors, using a number of
quite distinct approaches. As the constructs become more sophisticated,
there is also an increasing need to directly observe the motion of
artificial motors at the nanoscale and to characterize their performance.
Here, we review the most used methods that tackle those tasks. We
aim to help experimentalists with an overview of the available tools
used for different types of synthetic motors and to choose the method
most suited for the size of a motor and the desired measurements,
such as the generated force or distances in the moving system. Furthermore,
for many envisioned applications of synthetic motors, it will be a
requirement to guide and control directed motions. We therefore also
provide a perspective on how motors can be observed on structures
that allow for directional guidance, such as nanowires and microchannels.
Thus, this Review facilitates the future research on synthetic molecular
motors, where observations at a single-motor level and a detailed
characterization of motion will promote applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan N. Unksov
- Solid State Physics and NanoLund, Lund University, Box 118, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Chapin S. Korosec
- Department of Physics, Simon Fraser University, V5A 1S6 Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Damiano Verardo
- Solid State Physics and NanoLund, Lund University, Box 118, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
- AlignedBio AB, Medicon Village, Scheeletorget 1, 223 63 Lund, Sweden
| | - Roman Lyttleton
- Solid State Physics and NanoLund, Lund University, Box 118, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Nancy R. Forde
- Department of Physics, Simon Fraser University, V5A 1S6 Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Heiner Linke
- Solid State Physics and NanoLund, Lund University, Box 118, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
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3
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Ruijgrok PV, Ghosh RP, Zemsky S, Nakamura M, Gong R, Ning L, Chen R, Vachharajani VT, Chu AE, Anand N, Eguchi RR, Huang PS, Lin MZ, Alushin GM, Liphardt JT, Bryant Z. Optical control of fast and processive engineered myosins in vitro and in living cells. Nat Chem Biol 2021; 17:540-548. [PMID: 33603247 PMCID: PMC10807509 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-021-00740-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Precision tools for spatiotemporal control of cytoskeletal motor function are needed to dissect fundamental biological processes ranging from intracellular transport to cell migration and division. Direct optical control of motor speed and direction is one promising approach, but it remains a challenge to engineer controllable motors with desirable properties such as the speed and processivity required for transport applications in living cells. Here, we develop engineered myosin motors that combine large optical modulation depths with high velocities, and create processive myosin motors with optically controllable directionality. We characterize the performance of the motors using in vitro motility assays, single-molecule tracking and live-cell imaging. Bidirectional processive motors move efficiently toward the tips of cellular protrusions in the presence of blue light, and can transport molecular cargo in cells. Robust gearshifting myosins will further enable programmable transport in contexts ranging from in vitro active matter reconstitutions to microfabricated systems that harness molecular propulsion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul V Ruijgrok
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Rajarshi P Ghosh
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Bio-X Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Cell Biology Division, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford, CA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Sasha Zemsky
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Program in Biophysics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Muneaki Nakamura
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Rui Gong
- Laboratory of Structural Biophysics and Mechanobiology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lin Ning
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Robert Chen
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Vipul T Vachharajani
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Program in Biophysics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Alexander E Chu
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Program in Biophysics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Namrata Anand
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Raphael R Eguchi
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Po-Ssu Huang
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Bio-X Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Michael Z Lin
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Bio-X Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Gregory M Alushin
- Laboratory of Structural Biophysics and Mechanobiology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jan T Liphardt
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Bio-X Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Cell Biology Division, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Zev Bryant
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Bio-X Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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4
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Linke H, Höcker B, Furuta K, Forde NR, Curmi PMG. Synthetic biology approaches to dissecting linear motor protein function: towards the design and synthesis of artificial autonomous protein walkers. Biophys Rev 2020; 12:1041-1054. [PMID: 32651904 PMCID: PMC7429643 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-020-00717-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular motors and machines are essential for all cellular processes that together enable life. Built from proteins with a wide range of properties, functionalities and performance characteristics, biological motors perform complex tasks and can transduce chemical energy into mechanical work more efficiently than human-made combustion engines. Sophisticated studies of biological protein motors have provided many structural and biophysical insights and enabled the development of models for motor function. However, from the study of highly evolved, biological motors, it remains difficult to discern detailed mechanisms, for example, about the relative role of different force generation mechanisms, or how information is communicated across a protein to achieve the necessary coordination. A promising, complementary approach to answering these questions is to build synthetic protein motors from the bottom up. Indeed, much effort has been invested in functional protein design, but so far, the "holy grail" of designing and building a functional synthetic protein motor has not been realized. Here, we review the progress made to date, and we put forward a roadmap for achieving the aim of constructing the first artificial, autonomously running protein motor. Specifically, we propose to break down the task into (i) enzymatic control of track binding, (ii) the engineering of asymmetry and (iii) the engineering of allosteric control for internal communication. We also propose specific approaches for solving each of these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heiner Linke
- NanoLund and Solid State Physics, Lund University, Box 118, SE 22100, Lund, Sweden
| | - Birte Höcker
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, 95447, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Ken'ya Furuta
- Advanced ICT Research Institute, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Kobe, Hyogo, 651-2492, Japan
| | - Nancy R Forde
- Department of Physics, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Paul M G Curmi
- School of Physics, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
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5
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Single-Molecule Biophysical Techniques to Study Actomyosin Force Transduction. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020. [PMID: 32451857 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-38062-5_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Inside the cellular environment, molecular motors can work in concert to conduct a variety of important physiological functions and processes that are vital for the survival of a cell. However, in order to decipher the mechanism of how these molecular motors work, single-molecule microscopy techniques have been popular methods to understand the molecular basis of the emerging ensemble behavior of these motor proteins.In this chapter, we discuss various single-molecule biophysical imaging techniques that have been used to expose the mechanics and kinetics of myosins. The chapter should be taken as a general overview and introductory guide to the many existing techniques; however, since other chapters will discuss some of these techniques more thoroughly, the readership should refer to those chapters for further details and discussions. In particular, we will focus on scattering-based single-molecule microscopy methods, some of which have become more popular in the recent years and around which the work in our laboratories has been centered.
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6
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Ueno T, Niwase K, Tsubokawa D, Kikuchi K, Takai N, Furuta T, Kawano R, Uchihashi T. Dynamic behavior of an artificial protein needle contacting a membrane observed by high-speed atomic force microscopy. NANOSCALE 2020; 12:8166-8173. [PMID: 32239053 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr01121e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Bacteriophage T4 and other bacteriophages have a protein component known as a molecular needle which is used for the transmembrane reaction in the infection process. In this paper, the transmembrane reaction mechanisms of artificial protein needles (PNs) constructed by protein engineering of the component protein of bacteriophage T4 are elucidated by observation of single-molecules by high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The HS-AFM images indicate that the tip of the needle structure stabilizes the interaction of the needle with the membrane surface and is involved in controlling the contact angle and angular velocity with respect to the membrane. The MD simulations indicate that the dynamic behavior of PN is governed by hydrogen bonds between the membrane phosphate fragments and the tip. Moreover, quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and electrophysiological experiments indicate that the tip structure of PN affects its kinetic behavior and membrane potential. These results demonstrate that protein assemblies derived from natural biosupramolecules can be used to create nanomaterials with rationally-designed functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takafumi Ueno
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan.
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7
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Uçar MC, Lipowsky R. Collective Force Generation by Molecular Motors Is Determined by Strain-Induced Unbinding. NANO LETTERS 2020; 20:669-676. [PMID: 31797672 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.9b04445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In the living cell, we encounter a large variety of motile processes such as organelle transport and cytoskeleton remodeling. These processes are driven by motor proteins that generate force by transducing chemical free energy into mechanical work. In many cases, the molecular motors work in teams to collectively generate larger forces. Recent optical trapping experiments on small teams of cytoskeletal motors indicated that the collectively generated force increases with the size of the motor team but that this increase depends on the motor type and on whether the motors are studied in vitro or in vivo. Here, we use the theory of stochastic processes to describe the motion of N motors in a stationary optical trap and to compute the N-dependence of the collectively generated forces. We consider six distinct motor types, two kinesins, two dyneins, and two myosins. We show that the force increases always linearly with N but with a prefactor that depends on the performance of the single motor. Surprisingly, this prefactor increases for weaker motors with a lower stall force. This counter-intuitive behavior reflects the increased probability with which stronger motors detach from the filament during strain generation. Our theoretical results are in quantitative agreement with experimental data on small teams of kinesin-1 motors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Can Uçar
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria , Am Campus 1 , 3400 Klosterneuburg , Austria
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces , Am Mühlenberg 1 , 14476 Potsdam , Germany
| | - Reinhard Lipowsky
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces , Am Mühlenberg 1 , 14476 Potsdam , Germany
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8
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Senoussi A, Kashida S, Voituriez R, Galas JC, Maitra A, Estevez-Torres A. Tunable corrugated patterns in an active nematic sheet. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:22464-22470. [PMID: 31611385 PMCID: PMC6842637 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1912223116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Active matter locally converts chemical energy into mechanical work and, for this reason, it provides new mechanisms of pattern formation. In particular, active nematic fluids made of protein motors and filaments are far-from-equilibrium systems that may exhibit spontaneous motion, leading to actively driven spatiotemporally chaotic states in 2 and 3 dimensions and coherent flows in 3 dimensions (3D). Although these dynamic flows reveal a characteristic length scale resulting from the interplay between active forcing and passive restoring forces, the observation of static and large-scale spatial patterns in active nematic fluids has remained elusive. In this work, we demonstrate that a 3D solution of kinesin motors and microtubule filaments spontaneously forms a 2D free-standing nematic active sheet that actively buckles out of plane into a centimeter-sized periodic corrugated sheet that is stable for several days at low activity. Importantly, the nematic orientational field does not display topological defects in the corrugated state and the wavelength and stability of the corrugations are controlled by the motor concentration, in agreement with a hydrodynamic theory. At higher activities these patterns are transient and chaotic flows are observed at longer times. Our results underline the importance of both passive and active forces in shaping active matter and demonstrate that a spontaneously flowing active fluid can be sculpted into a static material through an active mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anis Senoussi
- Laboratoire Jean Perrin, Sorbonne Université and CNRS, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Shunnichi Kashida
- Laboratoire Jean Perrin, Sorbonne Université and CNRS, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Raphael Voituriez
- Laboratoire Jean Perrin, Sorbonne Université and CNRS, F-75005 Paris, France
- Laboratoire de Physique Théorique de la Matière Condensée, Sorbonne Université and CNRS, F-75005 Paris, France
| | | | - Ananyo Maitra
- Laboratoire Jean Perrin, Sorbonne Université and CNRS, F-75005 Paris, France;
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9
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Affiliation(s)
- Gadiel Saper
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, United States
| | - Henry Hess
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, United States
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10
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Andorfer R, Alper JD. From isolated structures to continuous networks: A categorization of cytoskeleton-based motile engineered biological microstructures. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2019; 11:e1553. [PMID: 30740918 PMCID: PMC6881777 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
As technology at the small scale is advancing, motile engineered microstructures are becoming useful in drug delivery, biomedicine, and lab-on-a-chip devices. However, traditional engineering methods and materials can be inefficient or functionally inadequate for small-scale applications. Increasingly, researchers are turning to the biology of the cytoskeleton, including microtubules, actin filaments, kinesins, dyneins, myosins, and associated proteins, for both inspiration and solutions. They are engineering structures with components that range from being entirely biological to being entirely synthetic mimics of biology and on scales that range from isotropic continuous networks to single isolated structures. Motile biological microstructures trace their origins from the development of assays used to study the cytoskeleton to the array of structures currently available today. We define 12 types of motile biological microstructures, based on four categories: entirely biological, modular, hybrid, and synthetic, and three scales: networks, clusters, and isolated structures. We highlight some key examples, the unique functionalities, and the potential applications of each microstructure type, and we summarize the quantitative models that enable engineering them. By categorizing the diversity of motile biological microstructures in this way, we aim to establish a framework to classify these structures, define the gaps in current research, and spur ideas to fill those gaps. This article is categorized under: Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Cells at the Nanoscale Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Protein and Virus-Based Structures Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Andorfer
- Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina
| | - Joshua D. Alper
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina
- Eukaryotic Pathogen Innovations Center, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina
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11
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Wang Z, Hou R, Loh IY. Track-walking molecular motors: a new generation beyond bridge-burning designs. NANOSCALE 2019; 11:9240-9263. [PMID: 31062798 DOI: 10.1039/c9nr00033j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Track-walking molecular motors are the core bottom-up mechanism for nanometre-resolved translational movements - a fundamental technological capability at the root of numerous applications ranging from nanoscale assembly lines and chemical synthesis to molecular robots and shape-changing materials. Over the last 10 years, artificial molecular walkers (or nanowalkers) have evolved from the 1st generation of bridge-burning designs to the 2nd generation capable of truly sustainable movements. Invention of non-bridge-burning nanowalkers was slow at first, but has picked up speed since 2012, and is now close to breaking major barriers for wide-spread development. Here we review the 2nd generation of artificial nanowalkers, which are mostly made of DNA molecules and draw energy from light illumination or from chemical fuels for entirely autonomous operation. They are typically symmetric dimeric motors walking on entirely periodic tracks, yet the motors possess an inherent direction for large-scale amplification of the action of many motor copies. These translational motors encompass the function of rotational molecular motors on circular or linear tracks, and may involve molecular shuttles as 'engine' motifs. Some rules of thumb are provided to help readers design similar motors from DNA or other molecular building blocks. Opportunities and challenges for future development are discussed, especially in the areas of molecular robotics and active materials based on the advanced motors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhisong Wang
- Department of Physics, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117542, Singapore.
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