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Real-time imaging of sulfhydryl single-stranded DNA aggregation
Fanwei Zeng1, Youhong Jiang1, Nana He1
1State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
Communications Chemistry
|May 2, 2023
Summary
Disulfide bonds drive sulfhydryl single-stranded DNA (SH-ssDNA) self-assembly into circular DNA (SS-cirDNA) and subsequent aggregation. In situ liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy visualized these dynamic structural changes in real-time.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Nanotechnology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Chemical bonds regulate biomacromolecule structure and function.
- Mechanisms of chemical bond regulation in biomacromolecules remain poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of disulfide bonds in the self-assembly and structural evolution of sulfhydryl single-stranded DNA (SH-ssDNA).
- To visualize the dynamic processes of SH-ssDNA self-assembly and SS-cirDNA aggregation using advanced microscopy.
Main Methods:
- Utilized in situ liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy (LP-TEM) for real-time visualization.
- Investigated the self-assembly of SH-ssDNA induced by sulfhydryl groups.
- Observed the aggregation of disulfide bond-containing circular DNA (SS-cirDNA) structures.
Main Results:
- Sulfhydryl groups induced SH-ssDNA self-assembly into SS-cirDNA.
- Disulfide bond interactions mediated the aggregation of two SS-cirDNA macromolecules.
- Significant structural changes were observed during SS-cirDNA aggregation.
Conclusions:
- Disulfide bonds play a crucial role in the self-assembly and aggregation of SH-ssDNA.
- LP-TEM provides valuable real-time, high-resolution insights into biomacromolecular structural dynamics.
- This visualization strategy can advance research on biomacromolecule structure and function.
