A bistable and reconfigurable molecular system with encodable bonds

Area of Science:

• * Molecular Systems and Nanotechnology
• * DNA Nanotechnology and Supramolecular Chemistry

Background:

• * Controllable molecular transformations are essential for biochemical functions.
• * DNA origami offers a versatile platform for designing complex molecular systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To design a bistable DNA origami four-way junction (DOJ) with controllable conformational changes.
• * To demonstrate reconfigurability through programmed base stacking and stacking bond manipulation.

Main Methods:

• * Programming stacking bonds (quasi-blunt-ends) within the DNA origami four-way junction.
• * Utilizing binary stacking sequences based on thermodynamic calculations to encode specific conformations.
• * Employing environmental and molecular stimuli to trigger dynamic conformational transformations.

Main Results:

• * Successfully designed a bistable DOJ system exhibiting two distinct stable conformations.
• * Demonstrated exquisite control over DOJ conformation and transformation via programmed coaxial stacking.
• * Achieved dynamic switching between conformations through external stimuli and reprogrammable stacking codes.

Conclusions:

• * The developed DOJ system serves as a valuable platform for creating self-assembled DNA nanostructures and nanomachines.
• * Provides insights for designing increasingly complex and reconfigurable artificial molecular systems.
• * Highlights the potential of conformation-controlled base stacking for precise molecular control.