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Engineer RNA-Protein Nanowires as Light-Responsive Biomaterials
Tayyaba Younas1, Chang Liu1, Weston B Struwe2
1Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|January 16, 2023
Summary
Researchers engineered light-responsive RNA-protein nanowires for advanced biomaterials. These novel nanowires offer reversible, light-controlled assembly for versatile applications in biotechnology.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Molecular Biology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- RNA biomaterials are crucial for applications like RNA interference (RNAi) and mRNA vaccines.
- Engineering sophisticated functions, such as light-switchable properties, in RNA biomaterials remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer novel light-responsive RNA-protein nanowires with sophisticated functions.
- To develop a reversible, non-photochemical system for light-controlled assembly of RNA-protein nanostructures.
Main Methods:
- Designed dimeric RNA aptamers and engineered green fluorescence protein (GFP) with TAT peptides for nanowire formation.
- Replaced GFP with an optogenetic protein pair (LOV2 and ZDK) for blue light-controlled photo-switching.
- Investigated the assembly and disassembly of RNA-protein nanowires in response to light.
Main Results:
- Successfully engineered long RNA-protein nanowires (>500 nm) that reversibly change size (20-30 nm) upon light exposure.
- Demonstrated blue light-controlled photo-switching of nanowire assembly and disassembly.
- The light-responsive mechanism relies on reversible protein interactions, not photochemistry.
Conclusions:
- Developed a new class of light-controlled, reversible RNA-protein hybrid biomaterials.
- These nanowires provide a versatile biocompatible framework for incorporating various biomolecules.
- Potential applications in advanced drug delivery, diagnostics, and synthetic biology.
