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Charge Neutralization Drives the Shape Reconfiguration of DNA Nanotubes
Author(s) -
Liu Pi,
Zhao Yan,
Liu Xiaoguo,
Sun Jixue,
Xu Dede,
Li Yang,
Li Qian,
Wang Lihua,
Yang Sichun,
Fan Chunhai,
Lin Jianping
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201801498
Subject(s) - control reconfiguration , small angle x ray scattering , static electricity , chemistry , chemical physics , helix bundle , dna nanotechnology , helix (gastropod) , characterization (materials science) , gating , nanotechnology , electrostatics , dna , charge (physics) , ion , scattering , materials science , biophysics , protein structure , physics , ecology , biochemistry , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics , snail , computer science , optics , biology , embedded system
Reconfiguration of membrane protein channels for gated transport is highly regulated under physiological conditions. However, a mechanistic understanding of such channels remains challenging owing to the difficulty in probing subtle gating‐associated structural changes. Herein, we show that charge neutralization can drive the shape reconfiguration of a biomimetic 6‐helix bundle DNA nanotube (6HB). Specifically, 6HB adopts a compact state when its charge is neutralized by Mg 2+ ; whereas Na + switches it to the expanded state, as revealed by MD simulations, small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS), and FRET characterization. Furthermore, partial neutralization of the DNA backbone charges by chemical modification renders 6HB compact and insensitive to ions, suggesting an interplay between electrostatic and hydrophobic forces in the channels. This system provides a platform for understanding the structure–function relationship of biological channels and designing rules for the shape control of DNA nanostructures in biomedical applications.