Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2025

DNA-Tethered RNA Polymerase for Programmable In vitro Transcription and Molecular Computation
Published on: December 29, 2021
Synthetic molecular switches driven by DNA-modifying enzymes
Hong Kang1,2, Yuexuan Yang1, Bryan Wei3
1School of Life Sciences, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, China.
Abstract:
Taking inspiration from natural systems, in which molecular switches are ubiquitous in the biochemistry regulatory network, we aim to design and construct synthetic molecular switches driven by DNA-modifying enzymes, such as DNA polymerase and nicking endonuclease. The enzymatic treatments on our synthetic DNA constructs controllably switch ON or OFF the sticky end cohesion and in turn cascade to the structural association or disassociation. Here we showcase the concept in multiple DNA nanostructure systems with robust assembly/disassembly performance. The switch mechanisms are first illustrated in minimalist systems with a few DNA strands. Then the ON/OFF switches are realized in complex DNA lattice and origami systems with designated morphological changes responsive to the specific enzymatic treatments.
Related Concept Videos
DNA-only Transposons
The donor site from where the transposon is excised is either degraded or...
DNA Topoisomerases
Types and Mechanism of action
Topoisomerases are divided into two main types. ...
Conservative Site-specific Recombination and Phase Variation
The recognition sites for Cre recombinase called LoxP...
Riboswitches
The aptamer has high specificity for a particular metabolite which allows riboswitches to specifically regulate...
Single-Strand DNA Binding Proteins
DNA Helicases

