Cervantes-Salguero K, Gutiérrez Fosado YA, Megone W, Gautrot JE, Palma M. Programmed Self-Assembly of DNA Nanosheets with Discrete Single-Molecule Thickness and Interfacial Mechanics: Design, Simulation, and Characterization.
Molecules 2023;
28:molecules28093686. [PMID:
37175096 PMCID:
PMC10180480 DOI:
10.3390/molecules28093686]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA is programmed to hierarchically self-assemble into superstructures spanning from nanometer to micrometer scales. Here, we demonstrate DNA nanosheets assembled out of a rationally designed flexible DNA unit (F-unit), whose shape resembles a Feynman diagram. F-units were designed to self-assemble in two dimensions and to display a high DNA density of hydrophobic moieties. oxDNA simulations confirmed the planarity of the F-unit. DNA nanosheets with a thickness of a single DNA duplex layer and with large coverage (at least 30 μm × 30 μm) were assembled from the liquid phase at the solid/liquid interface, as unambiguously evidenced by atomic force microscopy imaging. Interestingly, single-layer nanodiscs formed in solution at low DNA concentrations. DNA nanosheet superstructures were further assembled at liquid/liquid interfaces, as demonstrated by the fluorescence of a double-stranded DNA intercalator. Moreover, the interfacial mechanical properties of the nanosheet superstructures were measured as a response to temperature changes, demonstrating the control of interfacial shear mechanics based on DNA nanostructure engineering. The rational design of the F-unit, along with the presented results, provide an avenue toward the controlled assembly of reconfigurable/responsive nanosheets and membranes at liquid/liquid interfaces, to be potentially used in the characterization of biomechanical processes and materials transport.
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