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Updated: Jan 2, 2026

Co-Translational Insertion of Membrane Proteins into Preformed Nanodiscs
Published on: November 19, 2020
DNA fragment translocation through the lipid membrane assisted by carbon nanotube
Lijun Liang1, Yujin Zhang2, Zhe Kong1
1College of Automation, College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
DNA delivery through cell membrane is a fundamental step for efficiency gene therapy. As a potential DNA carrier, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been extensively studied due to its unique properties. However, the mechanism of DNA translocation with CNTs through cell membrane is still not well understood. In this study, the DNA translocation process through POPC (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine) membrane with the assistance of CNTs was explored by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Our simulation results demonstrated that the CNTs could insert steadily into the POPC membrane, and DNA molecules tends to insert into the inner space of CNTs. With the assistance of CNTs, the free energy of nucleotides passing through the POPC membrane decreases. Moreover, the free energy of nucleotides (DA (deoxyadenosine), DT (deoxythymidine), DC (deoxycytidine), and DG (deoxyguanosine)) passing through POPC membrane follows the order: DA (deoxyadenosine) > DG (deoxyguanosine) > DC (deoxycytidine) > DT (deoxythymidine). These results may promote the design and application of CNT-based gene delivery system.
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