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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 18, 2026

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Reversible control of cell membrane receptor function using DNA nano-spring multivalent ligands.

Kaixiang Zhang1, Ruijie Deng1, Yupeng Sun1

  • 1Department of Chemistry , Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology , Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084 , China .

Chemical Science
|November 18, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Researchers developed a DNA nano-spring that reversibly controls cell surface receptors. This dynamic material manipulates cell shape and gene expression, offering new insights into cell signaling pathways.

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Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Nanostructured materials mimicking the extracellular matrix can organize cell surface receptors.
  • Existing materials are primarily static, limiting dynamic control over cell functions.
  • Reversible control of cell surface receptor organization is crucial for understanding cell signaling.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a DNA-based, structure-switchable, multivalent material acting as a 'nano-spring'.
  • To enable reversible control of membrane receptor function at the cell surface.
  • To investigate the impact of dynamic DNA nanostructures on cell morphology and gene expression.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesis of DNA nano-springs using rolling circle amplification.
  • Tuning of nano-spring properties by modifying circular template design.
  • Co-culture of cells with DNA nano-springs to observe cellular responses.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated reversible control of membrane receptor function via DNA nano-springs.
  • Observed significant changes in cell morphology, including the formation of cell protrusions.
  • Showed altered mRNA expression levels of integrin-related genes upon interaction with the DNA nanostructure.

Conclusions:

  • The developed DNA nano-spring is a dynamic material for actively manipulating cell receptor function.
  • This approach provides a novel tool for studying receptor-mediated signaling cascades.
  • The structure-switchable DNA material offers potential for advanced cell engineering and biological research.