Dynamic Assembly/Disassembly Processes of Photoresponsive DNA Origami Nanostructures Directly Visualized on a Lipid Membrane Surface

Here, we report the direct visualization of the assembly/disassembly processes of photoresponsive DNA origami nanostructures which can be placed on a lipid bilayer surface. The observation relies on controlled interactions between the bilayer components and cholesterol moieties introduced to the hexagonal origami structures, one of whose outer edges carries Azo-ODNs. The bilayer-placed hexagonal dimer was disassembled into monomer units by UV irradiation, and reversibly assembled again during visible light irradiation. These dynamic processes were directly monitored with high-speed atomic force microscopy. The successful application of our approach should facilitate studies of interactive and functional behaviors of various DNA nanostructures

Direct and Real-Time Observation of Rotary Movement of a DNA Nanomechanical Device

Analogous to the biologically abundant protein-based linear molecular machines that translocate along their target surface, we have recently constructed the DNA-based synthetic molecular motors that effect linear movement or navigate a network of tracks on a DNA origami substrate. However, a DNA-based molecular machine with rotary function, analogous to rotary proteins, is still unexplored. Here, we report the construction of a rotary motor based on the B–Z conformational transition of DNA and the direct and real-time observation of its function within a frame-shaped DNA origami. The motor can be switched off by introducing conditions that stabilize B-DNA, while it can be fueled by adding Z-DNA-promoting high-saline buffer. When MgCl₂ was used as external stimulus, 70% of the motors rotated, while 76% of the stators/controls exhibited no rotation. Such a motor system could be successfully applied to perform multiple actions aimed for our benefit. Moreover, for the first time we have directly observed the B–Z conformational transition of DNA in real-time, which shed light on the fundamental understanding of DNA conformations

Photo-Controllable DNA Origami Nanostructures Assembling into Predesigned Multiorientational Patterns

We demonstrate a novel strategy for constructing multidirectional programmed 2D DNA nanostructures in various unique patterns by introducing photoresponsive oligonucleotides (Azo-ODNs) into hexagonal DNA origami structures. We examined regulation of assembly and disassembly of DNA nanostructures reversibly by different photoirradiation conditions in a programmed manner. Azo-ODNs were incorporated to the hexagonal DNA origami structures, which were then employed as self-assembly units for building up nanosized architectures in regulated arrangements. By adjusting the numbers and the positions of Azo-ODNs in the hexagonal units, the specific nanostructures with face controlling can be achieved, resulting in construction of ring-shaped nanostructures. By combining DNA origami strategy with photoregulating system, remote controlling of assembly and disassembly of DNA nanostructures has been accomplished simply by photo irradiation

Direct Single-Molecule Observation of Mode and Geometry of RecA-Mediated Homology Search

Genomic integrity, when compromised by accrued DNA lesions, is maintained through efficient repair <i>via</i> homologous recombination. For this process the ubiquitous recombinase A (RecA), and its homologues such as the human Rad51, are of central importance, able to align and exchange homologous sequences within single-stranded and double-stranded DNA in order to swap out defective regions. Here, we directly observe the widely debated mechanism of RecA homology searching at a single-molecule level using high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) in combination with tailored DNA origami frames to present the reaction targets in a way suitable for AFM-imaging. We show that RecA nucleoprotein filaments move along DNA substrates <i>via</i> short-distance facilitated diffusions, or slides, interspersed with longer-distance random moves, or hops. Importantly, from the specific interaction geometry, we find that the double-stranded substrate DNA resides in the secondary DNA binding-site within the RecA nucleoprotein filament helical groove during the homology search. This work demonstrates that tailored DNA origami, in conjunction with HS-AFM, can be employed to reveal directly conformational and geometrical information on dynamic protein–DNA interactions which was previously inaccessible at an individual single-molecule level

Transcription Regulation System Mediated by Mechanical Operation of a DNA Nanostructure

A transcription regulation system initiated by DNA nanostructure changes was designed and constructed. Using the toehold system, specific DNA strands induced the opening of the tubular structure. A transcription product from the purified tube-attached dsDNA template was observed by addition of DNA strands that were specific for opening the tubular structure

Torsional Constraints of DNA Substrates Impact Cas9 Cleavage

To examine the effect of the torsional constraints imposed on DNA substrates on Cas9 cleavage, we prepared constrained DNA substrates using a DNA origami frame. By fixing the dsDNA at the connectors of the DNA frame, we created torsionally constrained or relaxed substrates. We quantified the cleavage of constrained and relaxed substrates by Cas9 with qPCR. Moreover, we observed the Cas9/sgRNA complex bound to the DNA substrates and characterized the dissociation of the complex with high-speed atomic force microscopy. The results revealed that the constrained nontarget strand reduced the cleavage efficiency of Cas9 drastically, whereas torsional constraints on the target strand had little effect on the cleavage. The present study suggests that highly ordered and constrained DNA structures could be obstacles for Cas9 and additionally provides insights in Cas9 dissociation at a single molecule level

DNA Origami Based Visualization System for Studying Site-Specific Recombination Events

Site-specific recombination involves reciprocal exchange between defined DNA sites. The reaction initiates from the formation of a recombinase–DNA synaptic complex, in which two recombination sites arrange in an appropriate configuration. However, there is incomplete information about how the topological state of the substrate influences the synapsis and outcome of the reaction. Here, we show that Cre-mediated recombination can be regulated by controlling the orientation and topology of the <i>loxP</i> substrate in a DNA frame nanoscaffold. High-speed atomic force microscopy analyses revealed that the <i>loxP</i>-containing substrate strands in the antiparallel orientation can be recombined only through formation of synaptic complexes. By tethering Holliday junction (HJ) intermediates to DNA frames in different connection patterns and using them as a starting substrate, we found that the topological state of the HJ intermediates dictates the outcome of the resolution. Our approach should provide a new platform for structural–functional studies of various DNA targeting enzymes, especially which require formation of synaptic complexes

DNA Origami Based Visualization System for Studying Site-Specific Recombination Events

Site-specific recombination involves reciprocal exchange between defined DNA sites. The reaction initiates from the formation of a recombinase–DNA synaptic complex, in which two recombination sites arrange in an appropriate configuration. However, there is incomplete information about how the topological state of the substrate influences the synapsis and outcome of the reaction. Here, we show that Cre-mediated recombination can be regulated by controlling the orientation and topology of the <i>loxP</i> substrate in a DNA frame nanoscaffold. High-speed atomic force microscopy analyses revealed that the <i>loxP</i>-containing substrate strands in the antiparallel orientation can be recombined only through formation of synaptic complexes. By tethering Holliday junction (HJ) intermediates to DNA frames in different connection patterns and using them as a starting substrate, we found that the topological state of the HJ intermediates dictates the outcome of the resolution. Our approach should provide a new platform for structural–functional studies of various DNA targeting enzymes, especially which require formation of synaptic complexes

DNA Origami Based Visualization System for Studying Site-Specific Recombination Events

Site-specific recombination involves reciprocal exchange between defined DNA sites. The reaction initiates from the formation of a recombinase–DNA synaptic complex, in which two recombination sites arrange in an appropriate configuration. However, there is incomplete information about how the topological state of the substrate influences the synapsis and outcome of the reaction. Here, we show that Cre-mediated recombination can be regulated by controlling the orientation and topology of the <i>loxP</i> substrate in a DNA frame nanoscaffold. High-speed atomic force microscopy analyses revealed that the <i>loxP</i>-containing substrate strands in the antiparallel orientation can be recombined only through formation of synaptic complexes. By tethering Holliday junction (HJ) intermediates to DNA frames in different connection patterns and using them as a starting substrate, we found that the topological state of the HJ intermediates dictates the outcome of the resolution. Our approach should provide a new platform for structural–functional studies of various DNA targeting enzymes, especially which require formation of synaptic complexes

Sequence-Selective Single-Molecule Alkylation with a Pyrrole–Imidazole Polyamide Visualized in a DNA Nanoscaffold

We demonstrate a novel strategy for visualizing sequence-selective alkylation of target double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) using a synthetic pyrrole–imidazole (PI) polyamide in a designed DNA origami scaffold. Doubly functionalized PI polyamide was designed by introduction of an alkylating agent 1-(chloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-1,2-dihydro-3<i>H</i>-benz­[<i>e</i>]­indole (<i>seco</i>-CBI) and biotin for sequence-selective alkylation at the target sequence and subsequent streptavidin labeling, respectively. Selective alkylation of the target site in the substrate DNA was observed by analysis using sequencing gel electrophoresis. For the single-molecule observation of the alkylation by functionalized PI polyamide using atomic force microscopy (AFM), the target position in the dsDNA (∼200 base pairs) was alkylated and then visualized by labeling with streptavidin. Newly designed DNA origami scaffold named “five-well DNA frame” carrying five different dsDNA sequences in its cavities was used for the detailed analysis of the sequence-selectivity and alkylation. The 64-mer dsDNAs were introduced to five individual wells, in which target sequence AGTXCCA/TGGYACT (XY = AT, TA, GC, CG) was employed as fully matched (X = G) and one-base mismatched (X = A, T, C) sequences. The fully matched sequence was alkylated with 88% selectivity over other mismatched sequences. In addition, the PI polyamide failed to attach to the target sequence lacking the alkylation site after washing and streptavidin treatment. Therefore, the PI polyamide discriminated the one mismatched nucleotide at the single-molecule level, and alkylation anchored the PI polyamide to the target dsDNA