Specific ATP Detection Using Molecule-Responsive DNA Nanopores.

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Nanotechnology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Nanopore sensing offers label-free, high-resolution single-molecule analysis.
• Conventional nanopores have limitations in functionalization and molecular selectivity.
• Synthetic DNA nanopores present superior designability and functionalization potential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a functionalized DNA nanopore for stochastic sensing.
• To create a molecule-responsive nanopore for detecting specific analytes.
• To demonstrate adenosine triphosphate (ATP) detection using a novel DNA nanopore sensor.

Main Methods:

• Constructed a synthetic DNA nanopore using structural DNA nanotechnology.
• Integrated an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding split DNA aptamer into the nanopore.
• Utilized the aptamer's binding and dissociation with ATP to control pore opening and closing.
• Performed stochastic nanopore sensing experiments to detect ATP.

Main Results:

• Successfully developed a molecule-responsive DNA nanopore.
• Demonstrated repeated opening and closing of the nanopore entrance triggered by ATP binding and dissociation.
• Achieved successful ATP measurements via stochastic nanopore sensing with the functionalized DNA nanopore.

Conclusions:

• Developed a novel ATP-responsive DNA nanopore sensor.
• Achieved stochastic nanopore sensing using functionalized DNA nanopores for the first time.
• Tailored DNA nanopore sensors hold promise as analytical tools for drug discovery and disease diagnosis.