A reversibly gated protein-transporting membrane channel made of DNA

Swarup Dey, Adam Dorey, Leeza Abraham, Yongzheng Xing, Irene Zhang, Fei Zhang, Stefan Howorka () and Hao Yan ()
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Swarup Dey: Biodesign Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics (at the Biodesign Institute) at Arizona State University
Adam Dorey: University College London
Leeza Abraham: Biodesign Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics (at the Biodesign Institute) at Arizona State University
Yongzheng Xing: University College London
Irene Zhang: Biodesign Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics (at the Biodesign Institute) at Arizona State University
Fei Zhang: Rutgers University
Stefan Howorka: University College London
Hao Yan: Biodesign Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics (at the Biodesign Institute) at Arizona State University

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Controlled transport of biomolecules across lipid bilayer membranes is of profound significance in biological processes. In cells, cargo exchange is mediated by dedicated channels that respond to triggers, undergo a nanomechanical change to reversibly open, and thus regulate cargo flux. Replicating these processes with simple yet programmable chemical means is of fundamental scientific interest. Artificial systems that go beyond nature’s remit in transport control and cargo are also of considerable interest for biotechnological applications but challenging to build. Here, we describe a synthetic channel that allows precisely timed, stimulus-controlled transport of folded and functional proteins across bilayer membranes. The channel is made via DNA nanotechnology design principles and features a 416 nm2 opening cross-section and a nanomechanical lid which can be controllably closed and re-opened via a lock-and-key mechanism. We envision that the functional DNA device may be used in highly sensitive biosensing, drug delivery of proteins, and the creation of artificial cell networks.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28522-2

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