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Published on: January 19, 2019
Divalent Cation Regulation of DNA-Brick Nanofiber Assembly and Stability
Yuqing Liu1,2,3, Jie Cheng1,2,3, Yue Wang4
1CAS Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China.
Abstract:
DNA nanotechnology typically requires idealized Mg2+ environments, but practical applications demand structural integrity in complex ionic settings. We investigate how extra divalent cations (Mg2+, Ca2+, and Mn2+) modulate the assembly and stability of DNA-brick nanofibers. While Mg2+ promotes assembly at optimal levels but induces concentration-dependent aggregation and kinetic hysteresis, Ca2+ causes progressive structural erosion. Conversely, Mn2+ acts as a potent inhibitor via nucleobase coordination. Notably, individual fiber bending profiles remain unaffected. Our results suggest that ionic radius, hydration, and coordination properties may differentially modulate DNA assembly pathways and stability.
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