Engineered ion channels as emerging tools for chemical biology

Redox-Regulated Synthetic Channels: Enabling Reversible Ion Transport by Modulating the Ion-Permeation Pathway

Natural redox-regulated channel proteins often utilize disulfide bonds as redox sensors for adaptive regulation of channel conformations in response to diverse physiological environments. In this study, we developed novel synthetic ion channels capable of reversibly switching their ion-transport capabilities by incorporating multiple disulfide bonds into artificial systems. X-ray structural analysis and electrophysiological experiments demonstrated that these disulfide-bridged molecules possess well-defined tubular cavities and can be efficiently inserted into lipid bilayers to form artificial ion channels. More importantly, the disulfide bonds in these molecules serve as redox-tunable switches to regulate the formation and disruption of ion-permeation pathways, thereby achieving a transition in the transmembrane transport process between the ON and OFF states.

Functional Nanopores Enabled with DNA

Membrane-spanning nanopores are used in label-free single-molecule sensing and next-generation portable nucleic acid sequencing, and as powerful research tools in biology, biophysics, and synthetic biology. Naturally occurring protein and peptide pores, as well as synthetic inorganic nanopores, are used in these applications, with their limitations. The structural and functional repertoire of nanopores can be considerably expanded by functionalising existing pores with DNA strands and by creating an entirely new class of nanopores with DNA nanotechnology. This review outlines progress in this area of functional DNA nanopores and outlines developments to open up new applications.

Gating of β-Barrel Protein Pores, Porins, and Channels: An Old Problem with New Facets

β barrels are ubiquitous proteins in the outer membranes of mitochondria, chloroplasts, and Gram-negative bacteria. These transmembrane proteins (TMPs) execute a wide variety of tasks. For example, they can serve as transporters, receptors, membrane-bound enzymes, as well as adhesion, structural, and signaling elements. In addition, multimeric β barrels are common structural scaffolds among many pore-forming toxins. Significant progress has been made in understanding the functional, structural, biochemical, and biophysical features of these robust and versatile proteins. One frequently encountered fundamental trait of all β barrels is their voltage-dependent gating. This process consists of reversible or permanent conformational transitions between a large-conductance, highly permeable open state and a low-conductance, solute-restrictive closed state. Several intrinsic molecular mechanisms and environmental factors modulate this universal property of β barrels. This review article outlines the typical signatures of voltage-dependent gating. Moreover, we discuss recent developments leading to a better qualitative understanding of the closure dynamics of these TMPs.

Synthetic K+ Channels Constructed by Rebuilding the Core Modules of Natural K+ Channels in an Artificial System

Different types of natural K⁺ channels share similar core modules and cation permeability characteristics. In this study, we have developed novel artificial K⁺ channels by rebuilding the core modules of natural K⁺ channels in artificial systems. All the channels displayed high selectivity for K⁺ over Na⁺ and exhibited a selectivity sequence of K⁺ ≈Rb⁺ during the transport process, which is highly consistent with the cation permeability characteristics of natural K⁺ channels. More importantly, these artificial channels could be efficiently inserted into cell membranes and mediate the transmembrane transport of K⁺ , disrupting the cellular K⁺ homeostasis and eventually triggering the apoptosis of cells. These findings demonstrate that, by rebuilding the core modules of natural K⁺ channels in artificial systems, the structures, transport behaviors, and physiological functions of natural K⁺ channels can be mimicked in synthetic channels.

The application of single molecule nanopore sensing for quantitative analysis

Nanopore-based sensors typically work by monitoring transient pulses in conductance via current-time traces as molecules translocate through the nanopore. The unique property of being able to monitor single molecules gives nanopore sensors the potential as quantitative sensors based on the counting of single molecules. This review provides an overview of the concepts and fabrication of nanopore sensors as well as nanopore sensing with a view toward using nanopore sensors for quantitative analysis. We first introduce the classification of nanopores and highlight their applications in molecular identification with some pioneering studies. The review then shifts focus to recent strategies to extend nanopore sensors to devices that can rapidly and accurately quantify the amount of an analyte of interest. Finally, future prospects are provided and briefly discussed. The aim of this review is to aid in understanding recent advances, challenges, and prospects for nanopore sensors for quantitative analysis.

Gramicidin A-based unimolecular channel: cancer cell-targeting behavior and ion transport-induced apoptosis

A series of glycoside-peptide conjugates were prepared by engineering at the N-terminus of the natural peptide gramicidin A. The conjugate containing galactose moiety formed a unimolecular transmembrane channel and mediated ion transport to induce apoptosis of cancer cells. More importantly, it exhibited liver cancer cell-targeting behavior due to the galactose-asialoglycoprotein receptor recognition.

Ligand Induced CuII Transport Restricts Cancer and Mycobacterial Growth: Towards a Plug-and-Select Ion Channel Scaffold

Synthetic channels with high ion selectivity are attractive drug targets for diseases involving ion dysregulation. Achieving selective transport of divalent ions is highly challenging due their high hydration energies. A small tripeptide amphiphilic scaffold installed with a pybox ligand selectively transports Cu^II ions across membranes. The peptide forms stable dimeric pores in the membrane and transports ions by a Cu²⁺ /H⁺ antiport mechanism. The ligand-induced excellent Cu^II selectivity as well as high membrane permeability of the peptide is exploited to promote cancer cell death. The peptide's ability to restrict mycobacterial growth serves as seeds to evolve antibacterial strategies centred on selectively modulating ion homeostasis in pathogens. This simple peptide can potentially function as a universal, yet versatile, scaffold wherein the ion selectivity can be precisely controlled by modifying the ligand at the C terminus.

Discovery of gramicidin A analogues with altered activities by multidimensional screening of a one-bead-one-compound library

Gramicidin A (1) is a peptide antibiotic that disrupts the transmembrane ion concentration gradient by forming an ion channel in a lipid bilayer. Although long used clinically, it is limited to topical application because of its strong hemolytic activity and mammalian cytotoxicity, likely arising from the common ion transport mechanism. Here we report an integrated high-throughput strategy for discovering analogues of 1 with altered biological activity profiles. The 4096 analogue structures are designed to maintain the charge-neutral, hydrophobic, and channel forming properties of 1. Synthesis of the analogues, tandem mass spectrometry sequencing, and 3 microscale screenings enable us to identify 10 representative analogues. Re-synthesis and detailed functional evaluations find that all 10 analogues share a similar ion channel function, but have different cytotoxic, hemolytic, and antibacterial activities. Our large-scale structure-activity relationship studies reveal the feasibility of developing analogues of 1 that selectively induce toxicity toward target organisms.

The strong hemolytic activity and mammalian cytotoxicity of gramicidin A, a peptide antibiotic, has hindered its non-topical clinical application. Here, the authors report a high-throughput strategy for the discovery of gramicidin A analogues with altered biological activity profiles.

Phospholipid-Dependent Functions of a Macrocyclic Analogue of the Ion-Channel-Forming Antibiotic Gramicidin A

An ion-channel-forming natural peptide, gramicidin A (1), exhibits potent antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, although medical applications are limited to topical use due to its mammalian cytotoxicity. We recently reported that the artificial macrocyclic analogue 2 provides a promising starting point for developing new ion-channel-based systemic antibacterial agents because of its low mammalian cytotoxicity compared to that of the parent 1. To dissect the molecular factors involved in the species selectivity of 2, we evaluated the ion transport activities, phospholipid affinities, and conformational properties of 1 and 2 using various compositions of phospholipids. A combination of lipid dot blot assays and circular dichroism (CD) analysis with H⁺/Na⁺ exchange assays revealed that the higher H⁺/Na⁺ exchange activity of 2 than that of 1 in liposomes containing 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (POPC) or 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-(1'-rac-glycerol) (POPG) is attributable to its higher affinity towards the phospholipids than that of 1. Notably, we also discovered that 2 showed weaker H⁺/Na⁺ exchange activity in liposomes containing 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylethanolamine (POPE). CD analysis of 2 in liposomes indicated that the weak H⁺/Na⁺ exchange activity is induced by disturbance of the ion-conducting β^6.3-helical conformation in the POPE-containing lipid bilayer. These results suggest that the POPE-induced attenuation of the ion-conducting activity of 2 contributes to the alleviation of undesirable mammalian cytotoxicity of 2 compared to that of 1.

Effect of charge status on the ion transport and antimicrobial activity of synthetic channels

The charge status of channels formed by pillararene–gramicidin hybrid molecules has a significant impact on their trans-membrane transport properties, membrane-association abilities and antimicrobial activities.

Helically shaped cation receptor: design, synthesis, characterisation and first application to ion transport

An helicene-like receptor is able to transport K⁺ across lipid membrane.

Mechanical Deformation Mediated Transmembrane Transport

Transmembrane transport is essential and plays critical roles for molecule exchange for cell survival. Methods capable of mimicking and regulating transmembrane transport have transformed the ability to create biosensors, separation membranes, and drug carriers. However, artificial channels have been largely restricted by their complicated chemical fabrication and inefficiency to dynamically manipulate the transport process. Here, a novel approach to regulate transmembrane transport is described by simply adjusting the mechanical deformation of liposomal bilayers which are covalently embedded in a crosslinked hydrogel network. This new approach is able to dynamically control transmembrane transport by stretching and loosening. The transmembrane diffusion of molecules can be switched on and off, and precisely tuned by varying strain. A potential of this method to programmably regulate cell growth is demonstrated by tuning external mechanical force. Given its unique characteristics, this method allows the development of innovative systems for controlled transmembrane transport of molecules.

Surface coatings for solid-state nanopores

Since their introduction in 2001, solid-state nanopores have been increasingly exploited for the detection and characterization of biomolecules ranging from single DNA strands to protein complexes. A major factor that enables the application of nanopores to the analysis and characterization of a broad range of macromolecules is the preparation of coatings on the pore wall to either prevent non-specific adhesion of molecules or to facilitate specific interactions of molecules of interest within the pore. Surface coatings can therefore be useful to minimize clogging of nanopores or to increase the residence time of target analytes in the pore. This review article describes various coatings and their utility for changing pore diameters, increasing the stability of nanopores, reducing non-specific interactions, manipulating surface charges, enabling interactions with specific target molecules, and reducing the noise of current recordings through nanopores. We compare the coating methods with respect to the ease of preparing the coating, the stability of the coating and the requirement for specialized equipment to prepare the coating.

Helical supramolecular polymer nanotubes with wide lumen for glucose transport: towards the development of functional membrane-spanning channels

The manipulation of strong noncovalent interactions provides a concise and versatile strategy for constructing highly ordered supramolecular structures. By using a shape-persistent building block consisting of phenanthroline derivatives and two quadruply hydrogen-bonding AADD moieties, a type of precise helical supramolecular polymer (HSP) nanotube has been developed. The helical conformation of the supramolecular polymers has been proved via various techniques, showing significantly expanded topologies of supramolecular polymers. From the production of new topological structures of supramolecular polymers, predictable properties and functions have arisen. In this study, the helical folding of supramolecular polymers gave rise to the generation of specific wide lumen structures that can be directly visualized via TEM, and the resulting HSP nanotubes can puncture the lipid bilayer membrane to facilitate the transportation of glucose.

Helical supramolecular polymers with a wide lumen structure can puncture the lipid bilayer membrane to facilitate the transport of glucose.

A Temperature-Gated Nanovalve Self-Assembled from DNA to Control Molecular Transport across Membranes

Nanopores are powerful nanodevices that puncture semifluid membranes to enable transport of molecular matter across biological or synthetic thin layers. Advanced nanopores featuring more complex functions such as ambient sensing and reversible channel opening are of considerable scientific and technological interest but challenging to achieve with classical building materials. Here we exploit the predictable assembly properties of DNA to form a multifunctional nanovalve that senses temperature for controlled channel opening and tunable transport. The barrel-shaped valve is formed from solely seven oligonucleotides and is closed at ambient temperatures. At >40 °C a programmable thermosensitive lid opens the barrel to allow transport of small molecules across the membrane. The multifunctional DNA nanodevice may be used to create logic ionic networks or to achieve controlled drug delivery from vesicles.

Artificial K+ Channels Formed by Pillararene-Cyclodextrin Hybrid Molecules: Tuning Cation Selectivity and Generating Membrane Potential

A class of artificial K⁺ channels formed by pillararene-cyclodextrin hybrid molecules have been designed and synthesized. These channels efficiently inserted into lipid bilayers and displayed high selectivity for K⁺ over Na⁺ in fluorescence and electrophysiological experiments. The cation transport selectivity of the artificial channels is tunable by varying the length of the linkers between pillararene and cyclodexrin. The shortest channel showed specific transmembrane transport preference for K⁺ over all alkali metal ions (selective sequence: K⁺ > Cs⁺ > Rb⁺ > Na⁺ > Li⁺ ), and is rarely observed for artificial K⁺ channels. The high selectivity of this artificial channel for K⁺ over Na⁺ ensures specific transmembrane translocation of K⁺ , and generated stable membrane potential across lipid bilayers.

Solid-Phase Total Synthesis and Dual Mechanism of Action of the Channel-Forming 48-mer Peptide Polytheonamide B

Polytheonamide B (1) is a unique peptide natural product because of its extremely complex structure, a channel-forming ability in vitro, and the extremely potent cytotoxicity. The 48-mer sequence of 1 comprises alternating d,l-amino acids and possesses an array of sterically bulky β-tetrasubstituted and hydrogen bond forming residues. These unusual structural features are believed to drive 1 to fold into a 4.5 nm long tube, form a transmembrane ion channel at the plasma membrane, and exert cytotoxicity. Despite its potential biological application, however, multiple substitutions by these unusual residues significantly heightened the synthetic challenges, impeding the solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) of 1. In this study, we first addressed the synthesis problem by extensive optimization of various factors of the SPPS. Adaptation of a new protective group strategy allowed for elongation of a 37-mer peptide on resin, to which an N-terminal 11-mer fragment was condensed. Removal of the 18 protective groups and resin gave rise to 1 in excellent overall yield (4.5%, 76 steps from 17). The SPPS protocol is operationally simple and was proven easily amenable to total synthesis of the fluorescent 48-mer probe 2. Synthetic 1 and 2 were utilized for analysis of their cellular behavior. Reflecting its ion-channel function, the addition of 1 to MCF-7 cells rapidly diminished a potential across the plasma membrane. Furthermore, fluorescence imaging study revealed that 1 and 2 were also internalized into the cells, accumulating in acidic lysosomes and neutralizing the lysosomal pH gradient. These new findings indicated that 1 is capable of exerting two functions upon causing apoptotic cell death of mammalian cells: It induces free cation transport across the plasma as well as lysosomal membranes. The present chemical and biological studies provide valuable information for the design and synthesis of polytheonamide-based molecules with more potent and selective biological activities.

Building membrane nanopores

Membrane nanopores-hollow nanoscale barrels that puncture biological or synthetic membranes-have become powerful tools in chemical- and biosensing, and have achieved notable success in portable DNA sequencing. The pores can be self-assembled from a variety of materials, including proteins, peptides, synthetic organic compounds and, more recently, DNA. But which building material is best for which application, and what is the relationship between pore structure and function? In this Review, I critically compare the characteristics of the different building materials, and explore the influence of the building material on pore structure, dynamics and function. I also discuss the future challenges of developing nanopore technology, and consider what the next-generation of nanopore structures could be and where further practical applications might emerge.

Peptide translocation across MOMP, the major outer membrane channel from Campylobacter jejuni

Here we report on translocation of short poly-arginines across the MOMP porin, the major outer membrane protein in the cell wall of Campylobacter jejuni. MOMP was purified to homogeneity from a pathogenic strain of C. jejuni. Its reconstitution in lipid membranes and measuring the ion-current revealed two main distinct populations of protein channels which we interpreted as mono and trimers. Addition of poly-arginines causes concentration and voltage dependent ion-current fluctuations. Increasing the transmembrane potential decreases the residence time of the peptide inside the channel indicating successful translocation. We conclude that poly-arginines can cross the outer membrane of Campylobacter through the MOMP channel.

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Translocation of short poly-arginines across the MOMP channel has been determined.

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Penta-arginine and Hepta-arginine translocate across the MOMP channel.

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Voltage dependent kinetics to distinguish binding from translocation.

Enhanced Temporal Resolution with Ion Channel-Functionalized Sensors Using a Conductance-Based Measurement Protocol

The binding of a target analyte to an ion channel (IC), which is readily detected electrochemically in a label-free manner with single-molecule selectivity and specificity, has generated widespread interest in using natural and engineered ICs as transducers in biosensing platforms. To date, the majority of developments in IC-functionalized sensing have focused on IC selectivity or sensitivity or development of suitable membrane environments and aperture geometries. Comparatively little work has addressed analytical performance criteria, particularly criteria required for temporal measurements of dynamic processes. We report a measurement protocol suitable for rapid, time-resolved monitoring (≤30 ms) of IC-modulated membrane conductance. Key features of this protocol include the reduction of membrane area and the use of small voltage steps (10 mV) and short duration voltage pulses (10 ms), which have the net effect of reducing the capacitive charging and decreasing the time required to achieve steady state currents. Application of a conductance protocol employing three sequential, 10 ms voltage steps (-10 mV, -20 mV, -30 mV) in an alternating, pyramid-like arrangement enabled sampling of membrane conductance every 30 ms. Using this protocol, dynamic IC measurements on black lipid membranes (BLMs) functionalized with gramicidin A were conducted using a fast perfusion system. BLM conductance decreased by 76 ± 7.5% within 30 ms of switching from solutions containing 0 to 1 M Ca2+, which demonstrates the feasibility of using this approach to monitor rapid, dynamic chemical processes. Rapid conductance measurements will be broadly applicable to IC-based sensors that undergo analyte-specific gating.

A unimolecular channel formed by dual helical peptide modified pillar[5]arene: correlating transmembrane transport properties with antimicrobial activity and haemolytic toxicity

Five unimolecular channels with different lengths are presented. The varying length of these channels has significant impact on their transport properties.

One-pot formation of hydrazide macrocycles with modified cavities: an example of pH-sensitive unimolecular cation channels

The number and position of carboxyls in the channel have a significant impact on the membrane-incorporation ability, ion selectivity and NH₄⁺ transport activity of the macrocyclic channels.

"Sticky"-Ends-Guided Creation of Functional Hollow Nanopores for Guest Encapsulation and Water Transport

Commercial uses of water-transporting aquaporins for seawater desalination and wastewater reclamation/reuse are being investigated in both academia and the industry. Presently, structural complexity, stability, scalability, and activity reconstitution of these costly channel proteins still present substantial challenges to scientists and engineers. An attractive strategy is to develop robust synthetic water channels able to mimic the water-transporting function of aquaporins for utility in the making of next generation of water channel-based biomimetic porous membranes for various water purification applications. In sharp contrast to burgeoning development in constructing synthetic ion channels over the past four decades, very limited progress has been made in the area of synthetic water channels. A handful of such examples include the first report by Percec in 2007 (Percec et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2007, 129, 11698-11699), which was followed by Barboiu in 2011 (Barboiu et al. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2011, 50, 11366-11372), Gong and Hou in 2012 (Gong et al. Nat. Commun. 2012, 3, 949; Hou et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012, 134, 8384-8387), and Zeng in 2014 (Zeng et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014, 136, 14270-14276). Radically deviating from the fact that the discovery of novel synthetic channel systems with desired transport selectivity is most often empirical and very often serendipitous, we have instead adopted a more rational designer approach whereby molecular building blocks have been carefully designed from scratch to perform their intended built-in functions. Our designer journey started in 2008, two years after I started leading a group at the National University of Singapore. Since then, we have been actively investigating the use of designed water-binding "aquafoldamers" to construct synthetic water channels for the rapid and selective transport of water molecules ideally with the exclusion of all other nonproton molecular species. Toward this goal, we designed and characterized, by an experimental-theoretical synergy, a new class of modular, H-bonded, and crescent-shaped oligopyridine amide foldamers, enclosing a sizable cavity of about 2.8 Å in diameter. Matching well with the diameter of water molecules and decorated by interior-pointing H-bond donors (amide H atoms) and acceptors (pyridine N atoms) for water binding, this sizable cavity experimentally proves to be suitable for water recognition. In particular, helically folded oligomers are found to be capable of binding two water molecules that are vertically aligned in parallel with helical axis. However, the existence of two repulsive groups at the two helical ends prevents the formation of 1D hollow tubular cavity, via self-assembly, for encapsulating 1D water chains. Subsequently, we introduced two electrostatically complementary functional groups that act as "sticky" ends at helical ends. These feeble "sticky" ends faithfully and seamlessly align short cavity-containing helices one-dimensionally to create hollow tubular aquapores. To our delight, these aquapores demonstrate their excellent ability of highly selectively hosting a chain of single file H-bonded water molecules and allow for selective transport of both protons and water molecules with exclusion of metal ions including Na(+) and K(+) ions across the lipid membranes.

Gramicidin A Mutants with Antibiotic Activity against Both Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have shown potential as alternatives to traditional antibiotics for fighting infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. One promising example of this is gramicidin A (gA). In its wild-type sequence, gA is active by permeating the plasma membrane of Gram-positive bacteria. However, gA is toxic to human red blood cells at similar concentrations to those required for it to exert its antimicrobial effects. Installing cationic side chains into gA has been shown to lower its hemolytic activity while maintaining the antimicrobial potency. In this study, we present the synthesis and the antibiotic activity of a new series of gA mutants that display cationic side chains. Specifically, by synthesizing alkylated lysine derivatives through reductive amination, we were able to create a broad selection of structures with varied activities towards Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Importantly, some of the new mutants were observed to have an unprecedented activity towards important Gram-negative pathogens, including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Psuedomonas aeruginosa.

A biomimetic DNA-based channel for the ligand-controlled transport of charged molecular cargo across a biological membrane

Biological ion channels are molecular gatekeepers that control transport across cell membranes. Recreating the functional principle of such systems and extending it beyond physiological ionic cargo is both scientifically exciting and technologically relevant to sensing or drug release. However, fabricating synthetic channels with a predictable structure remains a significant challenge. Here, we use DNA as a building material to create an atomistically determined molecular valve that can control when and which cargo is transported across a bilayer. The valve, which is made from seven concatenated DNA strands, can bind a specific ligand and, in response, undergo a nanomechanical change to open up the membrane-spanning channel. It is also able to distinguish with high selectivity the transport of small organic molecules that differ by the presence of a positively or negatively charged group. The DNA device could be used for controlled drug release and the building of synthetic cell-like or logic ionic networks.

Cation–halide transport through peptide pores containing aminopicolinic acid

Aminopicolinic acid incorporated peptides form pores that promote cation–halide co-transport across lipid bilayers and do not show a closed state.

Dendrimers in Nanoscale Confinement: The Interplay between Conformational Change and Nanopore Entrance

Hyperbranched dendrimers are nanocarriers for drugs, imaging agents, and catalysts. Their nanoscale confinement is of fundamental interest and occurs when dendrimers with bioactive payload block or pass biological nanochannels or when catalysts are entrapped in inorganic nanoporous support scaffolds. The molecular process of confinement and its effect on dendrimer conformations are, however, poorly understood. Here, we use single-molecule nanopore measurements and molecular dynamics simulations to establish an atomically detailed model of pore dendrimer interactions. We discover and explain that electrophoretic migration of polycationic PAMAM dendrimers into confined space is not dictated by the diameter of the branched molecules but by their size and generation-dependent compressibility. Differences in structural flexibility also rationalize the apparent anomaly that the experimental nanopore current read-out depends in nonlinear fashion on dendrimer size. Nanoscale confinement is inferred to reduce the protonation of the polycationic structures. Our model can likely be expanded to other dendrimers and be applied to improve the analysis of biophysical experiments, rationally design functional materials such as nanoporous filtration devices or nanoscale drug carriers that effectively pass biological pores.

Hydrazide macrocycles as effective transmembrane channels for ammonium

The cavity of aromatic hydrazide macrocycles is tuned by appended Phe peptide chains to form deformable channels for efficient transport of NH₄⁺.

DNA origami nanopores: developments, challenges and perspectives

DNA nanotechnology has enabled the construction of DNA origami nanopores; synthetic nanopores that present improved capabilities for the area of single molecule detection. Their extraordinary versatility makes them a new and powerful tool in nanobiotechnology for a wide range of important applications beyond molecular sensing. In this review, we briefly present the recent developments in this emerging field of research. We discuss the current challenges and possible solutions that would enhance the sensing capabilities of DNA origami nanopores. Finally, we anticipate novel avenues for future research and highlight a range of exciting ideas and applications that could be explored in the near future.