Daisy Chain Rotaxanes Made from Interlocked DNA Nanostructures

Area of Science:

• Supramolecular chemistry
• DNA nanotechnology
• Materials science

Background:

• Supramolecular chemistry explores non-covalent interactions to build complex structures.
• DNA nanotechnology leverages DNA's programmability for nanoscale engineering.
• Mechanically interlocked molecules (MIMs) are advanced materials with unique properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the stepwise assembly of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) supramolecular daisy chain rotaxanes (DCRs).
• To investigate the controlled release and mechanical interlocking of DNA macrocycles on axles.
• To analyze the movement dynamics of assembled DCRs and their precursors.

Main Methods:

• Stepwise assembly of dsDNA macrocycles and axles into pseudo-DCR precursors.
• Utilizing rigid DNA stoppers to form DCRs with hybridized macrocycles.
• Employing release oligodeoxynucleotides (rODNs) to trigger macrocycle release and form mechanically interlocked DCRs.
• Characterizing DCRs and observing movement dynamics via various techniques.

Main Results:

• Successful stepwise assembly of dsDNA DCRs.
• Formation of stable mechanically interlocked DCRs upon rODN addition.
• Observation of externally hybridized structures and their dissociation into dumbbell structures.
• Demonstration of higher degrees of freedom in genuine DCRs compared to precursors.

Conclusions:

• DNA DCRs represent a versatile platform for constructing functional DNA nanostructures.
• The controlled movement of subunits within DCRs can be precisely confined.
• This work provides a foundation for designing sophisticated DNA-based molecular machines.