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Programming Dynamic Assembly of Viral Proteins with DNA Origami
Kun Zhou1,2, Yihao Zhou1, Victor Pan2
1Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Division of Nanobiomedicine and i-Lab, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, China.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|March 20, 2020
Summary
Researchers developed a nucleic acid system to control viral protein assembly using DNA origami. This method programs Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) growth and creates novel DNA-protein nanostructures.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Nanotechnology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Biomolecular assembly is a dynamic process regulated by molecular information exchange.
- Controlling viral protein assembly is crucial for understanding and manipulating biological systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a nucleic-acid-based system for programming the dynamic assembly of viral proteins.
- To create novel DNA-protein hybrid nanostructures using programmable assembly.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing DNA origami nanostructures to anchor Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) genome-mimicking RNA.
- Employing DNA strands as locks to prevent premature RNA packaging.
- Implementing toehold-mediated strand displacement for sequential RNA release and programmed TMV growth.
Main Results:
- Successfully programmed the dynamic assembly and growth of TMV in situ.
- Demonstrated the selective and sequential release of RNA to control assembly timing.
- Produced new DNA-protein hybrid nanostructures not achievable with prior methods.
Conclusions:
- Nucleic acid systems can effectively program viral protein dynamic assembly.
- DNA origami and strand displacement offer precise control over biomolecular assembly processes.
- This approach enables the creation of advanced DNA-protein hybrid nanostructures.
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