1
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Zhou W, Guo Y, Guo W, Qiu H. High-Resolution and Low-Noise Single-Molecule Sensing with Bio-Inspired Solid-State Nanopores. J Phys Chem Lett 2024; 15:5556-5563. [PMID: 38752895 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.4c00615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
Solid-state nanopores have been extensively explored as single-molecule sensors, bearing the potential for the sequencing of DNA. Although they offer advantages in terms of high mechanical robustness, tunable geometry, and compatibility with existing semiconductor fabrication techniques in comparison with their biological counterparts, efforts to sequence DNA with these nanopores have been hampered by insufficient spatial resolution and high noise in the measured ionic current signal. Here we show that these limitations can be overcome by the use of solid-state nanopores featuring a thin, narrow constriction as the sensing region, inspired by biological protein nanopores that have achieved notable success in DNA sequencing. Our extensive molecular dynamics simulations show that these bio-inspired nanopores can provide high spatial resolution equivalent to 2D material nanopores and, meanwhile, significantly inhibit noise levels. A theoretical model is also provided to assess the performance of the bio-inspired nanopore, which could guide its design and optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanqi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control for Aerospace Structures and Key Laboratory for Intelligent Nano Materials and Devices of MOE, Institute of Nano Science, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, China
| | - Yufeng Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control for Aerospace Structures and Key Laboratory for Intelligent Nano Materials and Devices of MOE, Institute of Nano Science, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, China
| | - Wanlin Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control for Aerospace Structures and Key Laboratory for Intelligent Nano Materials and Devices of MOE, Institute of Nano Science, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, China
| | - Hu Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control for Aerospace Structures and Key Laboratory for Intelligent Nano Materials and Devices of MOE, Institute of Nano Science, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, China
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2
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Maheshwaram SK, Shet D, David SR, Lakshminarayana MB, Soni GV. Nanopore Sensing of DNA-Histone Complexes on Nucleosome Arrays. ACS Sens 2022; 7:3876-3884. [PMID: 36441954 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.2c01865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The location of nucleosomes in DNA and their structural stability are critical in regulating DNA compaction, site accessibility, and epigenetic gene regulation. Here, we combine the nanopore platform-based fast and label-free single-molecule detection technique with a voltage-dependent force rupture assay to detect distinct structures on nucleosomal arrays and then to induce breakdown of individual nucleosome complexes. Specifically, we demonstrate direct measurement of distinct nucleosome structures present on individual 12-mer arrays. A detailed event analysis showed that nucleosomes are present as a combination of complete and partial structures, during translocation through the pore. By comparing with the voltage-dependent translocation of the mononucleosomes, we find that the partial nucleosomes result from voltage-dependent structural disintegration of nucleosomes. High signal-to-noise detection of heterogeneous levels in translocation of 12-mer array molecules quantifies the heterogeneity and nucleosomal substructure sizes on the arrays. These results facilitate the understanding of electrostatic interactions responsible for the integrity of the nucleosome structure and possible mechanisms of its unraveling by chromatin remodeling enzymes. This study also has potential applications in chromatin profiling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Divya Shet
- Raman Research Institute, Bangalore, Karnataka 560080, India
| | - Serene R David
- Raman Research Institute, Bangalore, Karnataka 560080, India
| | | | - Gautam V Soni
- Raman Research Institute, Bangalore, Karnataka 560080, India
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3
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Zhang X, Luo D, Zheng YW, Li XQ, Song J, Zhao WW, Chen HY, Xu JJ. Translocation of Specific DNA Nanocarrier through an Ultrasmall Nanopipette: Toward Single-Protein-Molecule Detection with Superior Signal-to-Noise Ratio. ACS NANO 2022; 16:15108-15114. [PMID: 36047811 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c06303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The use of functional DNA nanostructures as carriers to ship proteins through solid-state nanopores has recently seen substantial growth in single-protein-molecule detection (SPMD), driven by the potential of this methodology and implementations that it may enable. Ultrasmall nanopores have exhibited obvious advantages in spatiotemporal biological detection due to the appropriate nanoconfined spaces and unique properties. Herein, a 6.8 nm DNA tetrahedron (TDN) with a target-specific DNA aptamer (TDN-apt) was engineered to carry the representative target of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) through an ultrasmall nanopipet with a 30 nm orifice, underpinning the advanced SPMD of AChE with good performance in terms of high selectivity, low detection limit (0.1 fM), and especially superior signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The kinetic interaction between TDN-apt and AChE was studied and the practical applicability of the as-developed SPMD toward real samples was validated using serum samples from patients with Alzheimer's disease. This work not only presented a feasible SPMD solution toward low-abundance proteins in complex samples and but also was envisioned to inspire more interest in the design and implementation of synergized DNA nanostructure-ultrasmall nanopore systems for future SPMD development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Dan Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - You-Wei Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Qiong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Juan Song
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei-Wei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong-Yuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing-Juan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
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4
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Li S, Peng Y, Panchenko AR. DNA methylation: Precise modulation of chromatin structure and dynamics. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2022; 75:102430. [PMID: 35914496 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2022.102430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation plays a vital role in epigenetic regulation in both plants and animals, and typically occurs at the 5-carbon position of the cytosine pyrimidine ring within the CpG dinucleotide steps. Cytosine methylation can alter DNA's geometry, mechanical and physico-chemical properties - thus influencing the molecular signaling events vital for transcription, replication and chromatin remodeling. Despite the profound effect cytosine methylation can have on DNA, the underlying atomistic mechanisms remain enigmatic. Many studies so far have produced controversial findings on how cytosine methylation dictates DNA flexibility and accessibility, nucleosome stability and dynamics. Here, we review the most recent experimental and computational studies that provide precise characterization of structure and function of cytosine methylation and its versatile roles in modulating DNA mechanics, nucleosome and chromatin structure, stability and dynamics. Moreover, the review briefly discusses the relationship between DNA methylation and nucleosome positioning, and the crosstalk between DNA methylation and histone tail modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuxiang Li
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Queen's University, ON, Canada
| | - Yunhui Peng
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Anna R Panchenko
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Queen's University, ON, Canada.
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5
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Das N, Chakraborty B, RoyChaudhuri C. A review on nanopores based protein sensing in complex analyte. Talanta 2022; 243:123368. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2022.123368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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6
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Tripathi P, Chandler M, Maffeo CM, Fallahi A, Makhamreh A, Halman J, Aksimentiev A, Afonin KA, Wanunu M. Discrimination of RNA fiber structures using solid-state nanopores. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:6866-6875. [PMID: 35441627 PMCID: PMC9520586 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr08002d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
RNA fibers are a class of biomaterials that can be assembled using HIV-like kissing loop interactions. Because of the programmability of molecular design and low immunorecognition, these structures present an interesting opportunity to solve problems in nanobiotechnology and synthetic biology. However, the experimental tools to fully characterize and discriminate among different fiber structures in solution are limited. Herein, we utilize solid-state nanopore experiments and Brownian dynamics simulations to characterize and distinguish several RNA fiber structures that differ in their degrees of branching. We found that, regardless of the electrolyte type and concentration, fiber structures that have more branches produce longer and deeper ionic current blockades in comparison to the unbranched fibers. Experiments carried out at temperatures ranging from 20-60 °C revealed almost identical distributions of current blockade amplitudes, suggesting that the kissing loop interactions in fibers are resistant to heating within this range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabhat Tripathi
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Morgan Chandler
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA.
| | | | - Ali Fallahi
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Amr Makhamreh
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Justin Halman
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA.
| | - Aleksei Aksimentiev
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, 61801, USA
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, 61801, USA.
| | - Kirill A Afonin
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA.
| | - Meni Wanunu
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
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7
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Lin K, Chen C, Wang C, Lian P, Wang Y, Xue S, Sha J, Chen Y. Fabrication of solid-state nanopores. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2022; 33:272003. [PMID: 35349996 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/ac622b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Nanopores are valuable single-molecule sensing tools that have been widely applied to the detection of DNA, RNA, proteins, viruses, glycans, etc. The prominent sensing platform is helping to improve our health-related quality of life and accelerate the rapid realization of precision medicine. Solid-state nanopores have made rapid progress in the past decades due to their flexible size, structure and compatibility with semiconductor fabrication processes. With the development of semiconductor fabrication techniques, materials science and surface chemistry, nanopore preparation and modification technologies have made great breakthroughs. To date, various solid-state nanopore materials, processing technologies, and modification methods are available to us. In the review, we outline the recent advances in nanopores fabrication and analyze the virtues and limitations of various membrane materials and nanopores drilling techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kabin Lin
- Key Laboratory of Electronic Equipment Structure Design, Ministry of Education, School of Mechano-Electronic Engineering, Xidian University, Xi'an 710071, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Chen
- Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Congsi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Electronic Equipment Structure Design, Ministry of Education, School of Mechano-Electronic Engineering, Xidian University, Xi'an 710071, People's Republic of China
| | - Peiyuan Lian
- Key Laboratory of Electronic Equipment Structure Design, Ministry of Education, School of Mechano-Electronic Engineering, Xidian University, Xi'an 710071, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Wang
- School of Information and Control Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, People's Republic of China
| | - Song Xue
- Key Laboratory of Electronic Equipment Structure Design, Ministry of Education, School of Mechano-Electronic Engineering, Xidian University, Xi'an 710071, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingjie Sha
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-nano Biomedical Instruments, School of Mechanical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunfei Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-nano Biomedical Instruments, School of Mechanical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, People's Republic of China
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8
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Li S, Peng Y, Landsman D, Panchenko AR. DNA methylation cues in nucleosome geometry, stability and unwrapping. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:1864-1874. [PMID: 35166834 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytosine methylation at the 5-carbon position is an essential DNA epigenetic mark in many eukaryotic organisms. Although countless structural and functional studies of cytosine methylation have been reported, our understanding of how it influences the nucleosome assembly, structure, and dynamics remains obscure. Here, we investigate the effects of cytosine methylation at CpG sites on nucleosome dynamics and stability. By applying long molecular dynamics simulations on several microsecond time scale, we generate extensive atomistic conformational ensembles of full nucleosomes. Our results reveal that methylation induces pronounced changes in geometry for both linker and nucleosomal DNA, leading to a more curved, under-twisted DNA, narrowing the adjacent minor grooves, and shifting the population equilibrium of sugar-phosphate backbone geometry. These DNA conformational changes are associated with a considerable enhancement of interactions between methylated DNA and the histone octamer, doubling the number of contacts at some key arginines. H2A and H3 tails play important roles in these interactions, especially for DNA methylated nucleosomes. This, in turn, prevents a spontaneous DNA unwrapping of 3-4 helical turns for the methylated nucleosome with truncated histone tails, otherwise observed in the unmethylated system on several microseconds time scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuxiang Li
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Queen's University, ON, Canada
| | - Yunhui Peng
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - David Landsman
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Anna R Panchenko
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Queen's University, ON, Canada
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9
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Hu R, Liu C, Lu W, Wei G, Yu D, Li W, Chen P, Li G, Zhao Q. Probing the Effect of Ubiquitinated Histone on Mononucleosomes by Translocation Dynamics Study through Solid-State Nanopores. NANO LETTERS 2022; 22:888-895. [PMID: 35060726 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c02978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Post-translational modifications (PTMs), such as ubiquitination, are critically important in regulating genetic expressions by adjusting the nucleosome stability. A fast and label-free technology inspecting dynamic nucleosome structures can facilitate the interrogation of PTMs effects. Here we leverage the advantages of mechanically stable solid-state nanopores and detect the effect of a ubiquitinated histone on mononucleosomes at the single-molecule level. By comparing the translocation dynamics of natural and cross-linked mononucleosomes, we verified that the nucleosomal DNA unravelled from histones in natural mononucleosomes. Furthermore, we found that a turning point of voltage corresponds to the onset of nucleosome rupture. More importantly, we reveal that ubH2A stabilizes the nucleosome by shifting the turning point to a larger value and investigated the effect of ubiquitination on different histones (ubH2A and ubH2B). These findings open promising possibilities for developing a miniaturized and portable device for the fast screening of PTMs on nucleosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Hu
- State Key Lab for Mesoscopic Physics and Frontiers Science Center for Nano-optoelectronics School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Cuifang Liu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Wenlong Lu
- State Key Lab for Mesoscopic Physics and Frontiers Science Center for Nano-optoelectronics School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Guanghao Wei
- State Key Lab for Mesoscopic Physics and Frontiers Science Center for Nano-optoelectronics School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Dapeng Yu
- State Key Lab for Mesoscopic Physics and Frontiers Science Center for Nano-optoelectronics School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Institute for Quantum Science and Technology and Department of Physics, South University of Science and Technology of China (SUSTech), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Wei Li
- National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics and Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China
| | - Ping Chen
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Guohong Li
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qing Zhao
- State Key Lab for Mesoscopic Physics and Frontiers Science Center for Nano-optoelectronics School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Peking University Yangtze Delta Institute of Optoelectronics, Nantong, Jiangsu 226010, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Quantum Matter, Beijing 100084, China
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10
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Wang J, Ying YL, Zhong CB, Zhang LM, Yan F, Long YT. Instrumentational implementation for parallelized nanopore electrochemical measurements. Analyst 2021; 146:4111-4120. [PMID: 34116564 DOI: 10.1039/d1an00471a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Nanopore electrochemistry, as one of the promising tools for single molecule sensing, has proved its capability in DNA sequencing and protein analysis. To achieve a high resolution for obtaining molecular information, the nanopore electrochemical technique not only urgently requires an appropriate nanopore sensing interface with atomic resolution but also requires advanced instrumentation and its related data processing methods. In order to reveal the fundamental biological process and process the point-of-care diagnosis, it is necessary to use a nanopore sensing instrument with a high amperometric and temporal resolution as well as high throughput. The development of the instrumentation requires multi-disciplinary collaboration involving preparing a sensitive nanopore interface, low-noise circuit design, and intelligent data analysis. In this review, we have summarized the recent improvements in the nanopore sensing interface as well as discussed the higher throughput achieved by nanopore arrays and intelligent nanopore data analysis methods. The parallelized nanopore instrumentation could be popularized to all ranges of single-molecule applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, 210023, Nanjing, China.
| | - Yi-Lun Ying
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, 210023, Nanjing, China. and Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, Nanjing University, 210023, Nanjing, China
| | - Cheng-Bing Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, 210023, Nanjing, China.
| | - Li-Min Zhang
- School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, 210023, Nanjing, China
| | - Feng Yan
- School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, 210023, Nanjing, China
| | - Yi-Tao Long
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, 210023, Nanjing, China.
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11
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Chen S, Su J, Zhao Z, Shao Y, Dou Y, Li F, Deng W, Shi J, Li Q, Zuo X, Song S, Fan C. DNA Framework-Supported Electrochemical Analysis of DNA Methylation for Prostate Cancers. NANO LETTERS 2020; 20:7028-7035. [PMID: 32857520 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.0c01898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic alterations hold great promise as biomarkers for early stage cancer diagnosis. Nevertheless, direct identification of rare methylated DNA in the genome remains challenging. Here, we report an ultrasensitive framework nucleic acid-based electrochemical sensor for quantitative and highly selective analysis of DNA methylation. Notably, we can detect 160 fg of methylated DNA in million-fold unmethylated DNA samples using this electrochemical methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (E-MSP) method. The high sensitivity of E-MSP enables one-step detection of low-abundance methylation at two different genes in patient serum samples. By using a combination test with two methylation alterations, we achieve high accuracy and sensitivity for reliable differentiation of prostate cancer and benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH). This new method sheds new light on translational use in early cancer diagnosis and in monitoring patients' responses to therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shixing Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China
- Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, China
| | - Jing Su
- CAS Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China
- Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Zhihan Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Yuan Shao
- Department of Urology, Ruijin Hospital North, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 201801, China
| | - Yanzhi Dou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Fuwu Li
- Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Wangping Deng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Jiye Shi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Qian Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xiaolei Zuo
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Shiping Song
- CAS Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China
- Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Chunhai Fan
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acids Chemistry and Nanomedicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
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12
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Liu X, Zimny P, Zhang Y, Rana A, Nagel R, Reisner W, Dunbar WB. Flossing DNA in a Dual Nanopore Device. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2020; 16:e1905379. [PMID: 31858745 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201905379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Solid-state nanopores are a single-molecule technique that can provide access to biomolecular information that is otherwise masked by ensemble averaging. A promising application uses pores and barcoding chemistries to map molecular motifs along single DNA molecules. Despite recent research breakthroughs, however, it remains challenging to overcome molecular noise to fully exploit single-molecule data. Here, an active control technique termed "flossing" that uses a dual nanopore device is presented to trap a proteintagged DNA molecule and up to 100's of back-and-forth electrical scans of the molecule are performed in a few seconds. The protein motifs bound to 48.5 kb λ-DNA are used as detectable features for active triggering of the bidirectional control. Molecular noise is suppressed by averaging the multiscan data to produce averaged intertag distance estimates that are comparable to their known values. Since nanopore feature-mapping applications require DNA linearization when passing through the pore, a key advantage of flossing is that trans-pore linearization is increased to >98% by the second scan, compared to 35% for single nanopore passage of the same set of molecules. In concert with barcoding methods, the dual-pore flossing technique could enable genome mapping and structural variation applications, or mapping loci of epigenetic relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Liu
- Ontera Inc., Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, USA
| | | | - Yuning Zhang
- Department of Physics, McGill University Montreal, QC H3A 2T8, Canada
| | | | | | - Walter Reisner
- Department of Physics, McGill University Montreal, QC H3A 2T8, Canada
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13
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Kang X, Alibakhshi MA, Wanunu M. One-Pot Species Release and Nanopore Detection in a Voltage-Stable Lipid Bilayer Platform. NANO LETTERS 2019; 19:9145-9153. [PMID: 31724865 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.9b04446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Biological nanopores have been used as powerful platforms for label-free detection and identification of a range of biomolecules for biosensing applications and single molecule biophysics studies. Nonetheless, high limit of detection (LOD) of analytes due to inefficient biomolecular capture into biological nanopores at low voltage poses practical limits on their biosensing efficacy. Several approaches have been proposed to improve the voltage stability of the membrane, including polymerization and hydrogel coating, however, these compromise the lipid fluidity. Here, we developed a chip-based platform that can be massively produced on a wafer scale that is capable of sustaining high voltages of 350 mV with comparable membrane areas to traditional systems. Using this platform, we demonstrate sensing of DNA hairpins in α-hemolysin nanopores at the nanomolar regime under high voltage. Further, we have developed a workflow for one-pot enzymatic release of DNA hairpins with different stem lengths from magnetic microbeads, followed by multiplexed nanopore-based quantification of the hairpins within minutes, paving the way for novel nanopore-based multiplexed biosensing applications.
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14
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Deng C, Naler LB, Lu C. Microfluidic epigenomic mapping technologies for precision medicine. LAB ON A CHIP 2019; 19:2630-2650. [PMID: 31338502 PMCID: PMC6697104 DOI: 10.1039/c9lc00407f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Epigenomic mapping of tissue samples generates critical insights into genome-wide regulations of gene activities and expressions during normal development and disease processes. Epigenomic profiling using a low number of cells produced by patient and mouse samples presents new challenges to biotechnologists. In this review, we first discuss the rationale and premise behind profiling epigenomes for precision medicine. We then examine the existing literature on applying microfluidics to facilitate low-input and high-throughput epigenomic profiling, with emphasis on technologies enabling interfacing with next-generation sequencing. We detail assays on studies of histone modifications, DNA methylation, 3D chromatin structures and non-coding RNAs. Finally, we discuss what the future may hold in terms of method development and translational potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengyu Deng
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA.
| | - Lynette B Naler
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA.
| | - Chang Lu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA.
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15
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Teng X, Hwang W. Effect of Methylation on Local Mechanics and Hydration Structure of DNA. Biophys J 2019; 114:1791-1803. [PMID: 29694859 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2018.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 03/03/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytosine methylation affects mechanical properties of DNA and potentially alters the hydration fingerprint for recognition by proteins. The atomistic origin for these effects is not well understood, and we address this via all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. We find that the stiffness of the methylated dinucleotide step changes marginally, whereas the neighboring steps become stiffer. Stiffening is further enhanced for consecutively methylated steps, providing a mechanistic origin for the effect of hypermethylation. Steric interactions between the added methyl groups and the nonpolar groups of the neighboring nucleotides are responsible for the stiffening in most cases. By constructing hydration maps, we found that methylation also alters the surface hydration structure in distinct ways. Its resistance to deformation may contribute to the stiffening of DNA for deformational modes lacking steric interactions. These results highlight the sequence- and deformational-mode-dependent effects of cytosine methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Teng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Wonmuk Hwang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas; Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas; School of Computational Sciences, Korea Institute for Advanced Study, Seoul, Korea.
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16
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Houghtaling J, List J, Mayer M. Nanopore-Based, Rapid Characterization of Individual Amyloid Particles in Solution: Concepts, Challenges, and Prospects. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2018; 14:e1802412. [PMID: 30225962 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201802412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2018] [Revised: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Aggregates of misfolded proteins are associated with several devastating neurodegenerative diseases. These so-called amyloids are therefore explored as biomarkers for the diagnosis of dementia and other disorders, as well as for monitoring disease progression and assessment of the efficacy of therapeutic interventions. Quantification and characterization of amyloids as biomarkers is particularly demanding because the same amyloid-forming protein can exist in different states of assembly, ranging from nanometer-sized monomers to micrometer-long fibrils that interchange dynamically both in vivo and in samples from body fluids ex vivo. Soluble oligomeric amyloid aggregates, in particular, are associated with neurotoxic effects, and their molecular organization, size, and shape appear to determine their toxicity. This concept article proposes that the emerging field of nanopore-based analytics on a single molecule and single aggregate level holds the potential to account for the heterogeneity of amyloid samples and to characterize these particles-rapidly, label-free, and in aqueous solution-with regard to their size, shape, and abundance. The article describes the concept of nanopore-based resistive pulse sensing, reviews previous work in amyloid analysis, and discusses limitations and challenges that will need to be overcome to realize the full potential of amyloid characterization on a single-particle level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared Houghtaling
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, CH-1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Jonathan List
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, CH-1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Michael Mayer
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, CH-1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
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17
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Yamazaki H, Hu R, Henley RY, Halman J, Afonin KA, Yu D, Zhao Q, Wanunu M. Label-Free Single-Molecule Thermoscopy Using a Laser-Heated Nanopore. NANO LETTERS 2017; 17:7067-7074. [PMID: 28975798 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.7b03752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
When light is used to excite electronic transitions in a material, nonradiative energy during relaxation is often released in the form of heat. In this work, we show that photoexcitation of a silicon nitride nanopore using a focused visible laser results in efficient localized photothermal heating, which reduces the nearby electrolyte viscosity and increases the ionic conductance. In addition, a strong localized thermal gradient in the pore vicinity is produced, evidenced by finite-element simulations and experimental observation of both ion and DNA thermophoresis. After correcting for thermophoresis, the nanopore current can be used as a nanoscale thermometer, enabling rapid force thermoscopy. We utilize this to probe thermal melting transitions in synthetic and native biomolecules that are heated at the nanopore. Our results on single molecules are validated by correspondence to bulk measurements, which paves the way to various biophysical experiments that require rapid temperature and force control on individual molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirohito Yamazaki
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University , Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Rui Hu
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University , Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- State Key Laboratory for Mesoscopic Physics, School of Physics, Peking University , Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Robert Y Henley
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University , Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Justin Halman
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte , 9201 University City Boulevard, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
| | - Kirill A Afonin
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte , 9201 University City Boulevard, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
| | - Dapeng Yu
- State Key Laboratory for Mesoscopic Physics, School of Physics, Peking University , Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Mesoscopic Physics, School of Physics, Peking University , Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Meni Wanunu
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University , Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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18
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Zrehen A, Gilboa T, Meller A. Real-time visualization and sub-diffraction limit localization of nanometer-scale pore formation by dielectric breakdown. NANOSCALE 2017; 9:16437-16445. [PMID: 29058736 DOI: 10.1039/c7nr02629c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we introduce synchronous, real-time, electro-optical monitoring of nanopore formation by DB. Using the same principle as sub-diffraction microscopy, our nanopore localization platform based on wide-field microscopy and calcium indicators provides nanoscale sensitivity. This enables us to establish critical limitations of the fabrication process and improve its reliability. In particular, we find that under certain conditions, multiple nanopores may form and that nanopores may preferentially localize at the membrane junction, either of which potentially render nanopore sensing ineffective. As the breakdown parameters of silicon materials are highly manufacturer-specific, we anticipate that our visualization platform will enable users to easily optimize DB fabrication according to specific needs. Furthermore, our technique furthers the applicability of DB to more complicated architectures, such as membranes with selectively thinned regions and plasmonic nanowells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Zrehen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 32000, Israel.
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19
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Li GL, Xu YJ, Huang XM, Xiao J, Nong S, Li CG. MeDIP-seq reveals the features of mitochondrial genomic methylation in immature testis of Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis. Mitochondrial DNA A DNA Mapp Seq Anal 2017; 29:335-339. [PMID: 28129733 DOI: 10.1080/24701394.2016.1278537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
In this study, the methylation of mitochondrial genome in the immature testis of Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis of the Yangtze River system was determined for the first time using MeDIP-seq. Our methylated DNA fragments covered more than 99% of the mitochondrial genome in E. sinensis loaded from GenBank. There were 8 mutated bases and 42 SNPs in the crab mitochondrial genome. The methylation presented in all genes as well as in an A + T region, but less in intergenic regions in the mitochondrial genome. However, the level of methylation of most genes coding proteins and the A + T region were high. But, the majority of genes encoding tRNAs were hypomethylated, and both the rRNA genes also showed methylation of low or median frequency. Especially, the level of methylation of the intergenic regions is the lowest. Those features indicated that the methylation of DNA may play an important role in gene expressing regulation in the mitochondrial genome of immature testis in E. sinensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gen-Liang Li
- a Department of Biochemistry , Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities , Baise , Guangxi , China
| | - Yi-Jiao Xu
- a Department of Biochemistry , Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities , Baise , Guangxi , China
| | - Xiao-Min Huang
- a Department of Biochemistry , Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities , Baise , Guangxi , China
| | - Juan Xiao
- a Department of Biochemistry , Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities , Baise , Guangxi , China
| | - Song Nong
- a Department of Biochemistry , Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities , Baise , Guangxi , China
| | - Chao-Gan Li
- a Department of Biochemistry , Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities , Baise , Guangxi , China
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20
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Vu T, Davidson SL, Borgesi J, Maksudul M, Jeon TJ, Shim J. Piecing together the puzzle: nanopore technology in detection and quantification of cancer biomarkers. RSC Adv 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ra08063h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This mini-review paper is a comprehensive outline of nanopore technology applications in the detection and study of various cancer causal factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trang Vu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
- Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering
- Rowan University
- Glassboro
- USA
| | - Shanna-Leigh Davidson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
- Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering
- Rowan University
- Glassboro
- USA
| | - Julia Borgesi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
- Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering
- Rowan University
- Glassboro
- USA
| | - Mowla Maksudul
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
- Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering
- Rowan University
- Glassboro
- USA
| | - Tae-Joon Jeon
- Department of Biological Engineering
- Inha University
- Incheon 22212
- Republic of Korea
| | - Jiwook Shim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
- Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering
- Rowan University
- Glassboro
- USA
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21
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Squires AH, Gilboa T, Torfstein C, Varongchayakul N, Meller A. Single-Molecule Characterization of DNA-Protein Interactions Using Nanopore Biosensors. Methods Enzymol 2016; 582:353-385. [PMID: 28062042 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2016.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Detection and characterization of nucleic acid-protein interactions, particularly those involving DNA and proteins such as transcription factors, enzymes, and DNA packaging proteins, remain significant barriers to our understanding of genetic regulation. Nanopores are an extremely sensitive and versatile sensing platform for label-free detection of single biomolecules. Analyte molecules are drawn to and through a nanoscale aperture by an electrophoretic force, which acts upon their native charge while in the sensing region of the pore. When the nanopore's diameter is only slightly larger than the biopolymer's cross section (typically a few nm); the latter must translocate through the pore in a linear fashion due to the constricted geometry in this region. These features allow nanopores to interrogate protein-nucleic acids in multiple sensing modes: first, by scanning and mapping the locations of binding sites along an analyte molecule, and second, by probing the strength of the bond between a protein and nucleic acid, using the native charge of the nucleic acid to apply an electrophoretic force to the complex while the protein is geometrically prevented from passing through the nanopore. In this chapter, we describe progress toward nanopore sensing of protein-nucleic acid complexes in the context of both mapping binding sites and performing force spectroscopy to determine the strength of interactions. We conclude by reviewing the strengths and challenges of the nanopore technique in the context of studying DNA-protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- A H Squires
- Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | | | | | | | - A Meller
- The Technion, Haifa, Israel; Boston University, Boston, MA, United States.
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22
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Nikoofard N, Mashaghi A. Topology sorting and characterization of folded polymers using nano-pores. NANOSCALE 2016; 8:4643-4649. [PMID: 26853059 DOI: 10.1039/c5nr08828c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Here we report on the translocation of folded polymers through nano-pores using molecular dynamic simulations. Two cases are studied: one in which a folded molecule unfolds upon passage and one in which the folding remains intact as the molecule passes through the nano-pore. The topology of a folded polymer chain is defined as the arrangement of the intramolecular contacts, known as circuit topology. In the case where intramolecular contacts remain intact, we show that the dynamics of passage through a nano-pore varies for molecules with differing topologies: a phenomenon that can be exploited to enrich certain topologies in mixtures. We find that the nano-pore allows reading of the topology for short chains. Moreover, when the passage is coupled with unfolding, the nano-pore enables discrimination between pure states, i.e., states in which the majority of contacts are arranged identically. In this case, as we show here, it is also possible to read the positions of the contact sites along a chain. Our results demonstrate the applicability of nano-pore technology to characterize and sort molecules based on their topology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narges Nikoofard
- Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, University of Kashan, Kashan 51167-87317, Iran
| | - Alireza Mashaghi
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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23
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Bulushev RD, Marion S, Radenovic A. Relevance of the Drag Force during Controlled Translocation of a DNA-Protein Complex through a Glass Nanocapillary. NANO LETTERS 2015; 15:7118-25. [PMID: 26393370 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5b03264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Combination of glass nanocapillaries with optical tweezers allowed us to detect DNA-protein complexes in physiological conditions. In this system, a protein bound to DNA is characterized by a simultaneous change of the force and ionic current signals from the level observed for the bare DNA. Controlled displacement of the protein away from the nanocapillary opening revealed decay in the values of the force and ionic current. Negatively charged proteins EcoRI, RecA, and RNA polymerase formed complexes with DNA that experienced electrophoretic force lower than the bare DNA inside nanocapillaries. Force profiles obtained for DNA-RecA in our system were different than those in the system with nanopores in membranes and optical tweezers. We suggest that such behavior is due to the dominant impact of the drag force comparing to the electrostatic force acting on a DNA-protein complex inside nanocapillaries. We explained our results using a stochastic model taking into account the conical shape of glass nanocapillaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman D Bulushev
- Laboratory of Nanoscale Biology, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, EPFL , 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sanjin Marion
- Institute of Physics , Bijenicka cesta 46, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Aleksandra Radenovic
- Laboratory of Nanoscale Biology, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, EPFL , 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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24
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Plesa C, van Loo N, Dekker C. DNA nanopore translocation in glutamate solutions. NANOSCALE 2015; 7:13605-13609. [PMID: 26206066 DOI: 10.1039/c5nr02793d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Nanopore experiments have traditionally been carried out with chloride-based solutions. Here we introduce silver/silver-glutamate-based electrochemistry as an alternative, and study the viscosity, conductivity, and nanopore translocation characteristics of potassium-, sodium-, and lithium-glutamate solutions. We show that it has a linear response at typical voltages and can be used to detect DNA translocations through a nanopore. The glutamate anion also acts as a redox-capable thickening agent, with high-viscosity solutions capable of slowing down the DNA translocation process by up to 11 times, with a corresponding 7 time reduction in signal. These results demonstrate that glutamate can replace chloride as the primary anion in nanopore resistive pulse sensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Plesa
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Lorentzweg 1, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands.
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25
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Squires A, Atas E, Meller A. Nanopore sensing of individual transcription factors bound to DNA. Sci Rep 2015; 5:11643. [PMID: 26109509 PMCID: PMC4479991 DOI: 10.1038/srep11643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription factor (TF)-DNA interactions are the primary control point in regulation of gene expression. Characterization of these interactions is essential for understanding genetic regulation of biological systems and developing novel therapies to treat cellular malfunctions. Solid-state nanopores are a highly versatile class of single-molecule sensors that can provide rich information about local properties of long charged biopolymers using the current blockage patterns generated during analyte translocation, and provide a novel platform for characterization of TF-DNA interactions. The DNA-binding domain of the TF Early Growth Response Protein 1 (EGR1), a prototypical zinc finger protein known as zif268, is used as a model system for this study. zif268 adopts two distinct bound conformations corresponding to specific and nonspecific binding, according to the local DNA sequence. Here we implement a solid-state nanopore platform for direct, label- and tether-free single-molecule detection of zif268 bound to DNA. We demonstrate detection of single zif268 TFs bound to DNA according to current blockage sublevels and duration of translocation through the nanopore. We further show that the nanopore can detect and discriminate both specific and nonspecific binding conformations of zif268 on DNA via the distinct current blockage patterns corresponding to each of these two known binding modes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison Squires
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Boston University Boston, Massachusetts 02215 U.S.A
| | - Evrim Atas
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Boston University Boston, Massachusetts 02215 U.S.A
| | - Amit Meller
- 1] Department of Biomedical Engineering Boston University Boston, Massachusetts 02215 U.S.A. [2] Department of Biomedical Engineering The Technion - Israel Institute of Technology Haifa, Israel, 32000
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26
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Plesa C, Ruitenberg JW, Witteveen MJ, Dekker C. Detection of Individual Proteins Bound along DNA Using Solid-State Nanopores. NANO LETTERS 2015; 15:3153-8. [PMID: 25928590 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5b00249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
DNA in cells is heavily covered with all types of proteins that regulate its genetic activity. Detection of DNA-bound proteins is a challenge that is well suited to solid-state nanopores as they provide a linear readout of the DNA and DNA-protein volume in the pore constriction along the entire length of a molecule. Here, we demonstrate that we can realize the detection of even individual DNA-bound proteins at the single-DNA-molecule level using solid-state nanopores. We introduce and use a new model system of anti-DNA antibodies bound to lambda phage DNA. This system provides several advantages since the antibodies bind individually, tolerate high salt concentrations, and will, because of their positive charge, not translocate through the pore unless bound to the DNA. Translocation of DNA-antibody samples reveals the presence of short 12 μs current spikes within the DNA traces, with amplitudes that are about 4.5 times larger than that of dsDNA, which are associated with individual antibodies. We conclude that transient interactions between the pore and the antibodies are the primary mechanism by which bound antibodies are observed. This work provides a proof-of-concept for how nanopores could be used for future sensing applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calin Plesa
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Lorentzweg 1, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Justus W Ruitenberg
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Lorentzweg 1, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Menno J Witteveen
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Lorentzweg 1, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Cees Dekker
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Lorentzweg 1, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands
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