Synthetic mechanoreceptor engineering: From genetic encoding to DNA nanotechnology-based reprogramming

Area of Science:

• Mechanobiology
• Synthetic Biology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Cellular mechanotransduction is vital for understanding cell fate and disease.
• Precise control over mechanoreceptor signaling is challenging with existing methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advances in engineering synthetic mechanoreceptors.
• To highlight DNA nanotechnology as a non-genetic reprogramming strategy.
• To explore applications in mechanobiology and regenerative medicine.

Main Methods:

• Genetic engineering strategies: protein structure encoding and site-directed mutagenesis.
• Non-genetic approaches using DNA nanotechnology and DNA-functionalized artificial mechanoreceptors (AMRs).
• Development of DNA mechanosensitive nanodevices for precise control.

Main Results:

• Engineered proteins can reprogram force-response functions in natural mechanoreceptors.
• DNA nanotechnology enables programmable, modular control over receptor function.
• Novel AMRs confer force-responsiveness to non-mechanosensitive receptors without genetic modification.

Conclusions:

• DNA-based non-genetic receptor engineering offers a versatile toolkit for mechanobiology.
• Synthetic mechanoreceptors advance our understanding of cellular mechanotransduction.
• This approach pioneers force-directed therapeutic strategies in regenerative medicine.