Dynamic DNA devices and assemblies formed by shape-complementary, non-base pairing 3D components

By:Gerling, T (Gerling, Thomas)^{[ 1 ]} ; Wagenbauer, KF (Wagenbauer, Klaus F.)^{[ 1 ]} ; Neuner, AM (Neuner, Andrea M.)^{[ 1 ]} ; Dietz, H (Dietz, Hendrik)^{[ 1 ]}

• SCIENCE

• Volume: 347, Issue: 6229, Pages: 1446-1452

• DOI: 10.1126/science.aaa5372
• Published: MAR 27 2015
• View Journal Information

We demonstrate that discrete three-dimensional (3D) DNA components can specifically self-assemble in solution on the basis of shape-complementarity and without base pairing. Using this principle, we produced homo-and heteromultimeric objects, including micrometer-scale one- and two-stranded filaments and lattices, as well as reconfigurable devices, including an actuator, a switchable gear, an unfoldable nanobook, and a nanorobot. These multidomain assemblieswere stabilized via short-ranged nucleobase stacking bonds that compete against electrostatic repulsion between the components‘ interfaces. Using imagingby electron microscopy, ensemble and single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer spectroscopy, and electrophoretic mobility analysis, we show that the balance between attractive and repulsive interactions, and thus the conformation of the assemblies, may be finely controlled by global parameters such as cation concentration or temperature and by an allosteric mechanism based on strand-displacement reactions.