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Photo-regulated trajectories of gliding microtubules conjugated with DNA

Mousumi Akter1, Jakia Jannat Keya2, Arif Md Rashedul Kabir2

  • 1Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0810, Japan. kakugo@sci.hokudai.ac.jp.

Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|June 16, 2020
PubMed

Insights

We control microtubule (MT) motion persistence using photoresponsive DNA (pDNA) and light. UV light increases MT path persistence, while visible light decreases it, with pDNA also protecting MTs from UV damage.

Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Nanotechnology

Background:

  • Kinesin motors drive microtubule (MT) movement, crucial for intracellular transport.
  • Controlling MT dynamics is essential for understanding cellular processes and developing nanodevices.
  • Existing methods for MT manipulation lack precise, light-activated control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a light-controlled system for regulating the motion persistence of kinesin-driven MTs.
  • To investigate the effect of photoresponsive DNA (pDNA) on MT dynamics under UV-visible light.
  • To assess the protective role of pDNA against UV-induced MT damage.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized photoresponsive DNA (pDNA) as a light-sensitive regulator.
  • Employed UV and visible light irradiation to modulate MT motion.
  • Measured MT path persistence length as a key indicator of motion persistency.
  • Assessed MT structural integrity under UV irradiation with and without pDNA.

Main Results:

  • Illumination with UV light increased the path persistence length of MTs.
  • Visible light illumination decreased the path persistence length of MTs.
  • pDNA demonstrated a shielding effect, protecting MTs from UV-induced damage.

Conclusions:

  • Light-activated pDNA provides a novel method for dynamically controlling MT motion persistence.
  • This system offers spatiotemporal regulation of MT dynamics.
  • pDNA serves a dual role in controlling MT motion and protecting against UV damage, with potential applications in nanotechnology and cell biology.

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