Dynamics of individual molecular shuttles under mechanical force

Teresa Naranjo, Kateryna M. Lemishko, Sara Lorenzo, Álvaro Somoza, Felix Ritort, Emilio M. Pérez () and Borja Ibarra ()
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Teresa Naranjo: Ciudad Universitaria de Cantoblanco
Kateryna M. Lemishko: Nanobiotecnología (IMDEA-Nanociencia) Unidad Asociada al Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CSIC)
Sara Lorenzo: Ciudad Universitaria de Cantoblanco
Álvaro Somoza: Ciudad Universitaria de Cantoblanco
Felix Ritort: University of Barcelona
Emilio M. Pérez: Ciudad Universitaria de Cantoblanco
Borja Ibarra: Ciudad Universitaria de Cantoblanco

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract Molecular shuttles are the basis of some of the most advanced synthetic molecular machines. In these devices a macrocycle threaded onto a linear component shuttles between different portions of the thread in response to external stimuli. Here, we use optical tweezers to measure the mechanics and dynamics of individual molecular shuttles in aqueous conditions. Using DNA as a handle and as a single molecule reporter, we measure thousands of individual shuttling events and determine the force-dependent kinetic rates of the macrocycle motion and the main parameters governing the energy landscape of the system. Our findings could open avenues for the real-time characterization of synthetic devices at the single molecule level, and provide crucial information for designing molecular machinery able to operate under physiological conditions.

Date: 2018
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-06905-8

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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06905-8

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