Dynamic exchange controls the assembly structure of nucleic-acid-peptide chimeras

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Systems Chemistry
• Supramolecular Chemistry

Background:

• Developing next-generation functional biomaterials requires advanced systems chemistry approaches.
• Exploiting dynamic networks of hybrid molecules presents challenges but offers significant potential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the formation and tuning of nucleic-acid-peptide assemblies.
• To understand the role of interaction interfaces in hybrid molecule self-assembly.
• To explore the impact of environmental conditions and external stimuli on assembly dynamics.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of double-stranded DNA-peptide conjugates (dsCon).
• Analysis of assembly formation under varying environmental conditions.
• Investigation of stimuli-induced dynamic interconversions using competing DNA and salt additives.

Main Results:

• dsCon formation is highly sensitive to specific environmental conditions and precise DNA hybridization.
• External stimuli, like free DNA or salt, induce dynamic interconversions.
• Hybrid structures exhibit distinct spherical and fibrillar domains or mixed morphologies.

Conclusions:

• Co-assembly systems chemistry provides insights into prebiotic hybrid assemblies.
• Findings facilitate the design of novel functional materials.
• Implications for the emergence of function in synthetic materials and early chemical evolution are discussed.