Charge, Diffusion, and Current Fluctuations of Single-Stranded DNA Trapped in an MspA Nanopore

We report effective charges and diffusion constants of several different single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides trapped in an MspA nanopore. Nucleotide identity is found to have a substantial influence on effective charges and diffusion constants. These quantities are determined from escape time experiments for a DNA molecule attached to a NeutrAvidin molecule that, unlike the DNA, does not pass through the pore. Correlations are reported between oligonucleotide effective charges and current blockages, and between their diffusion constants and DNA-induced current blockage fluctuations. We also report an unanticipated source of current fluctuations that reflects a discrete blockage current level structure. We posit that this is associated with interactions between the NeutrAvidin molecule and the MspA nanopore.