Current status on single molecular sequencing based on protein nanopores

Jiawei Shen,Yongyong Shi

doi:10.5101/nbe.v4i1.p1-5

Abstract

In the 1960s, Hladky and Haydon have succeeded in detecting ionic flows across thin lipid membrane when adding small lipid-soluble molecules such as surface-active polypeptides to artificial membrane, which has laid the foundation for decoding single strand DNA when it crosses the nanopore under an applied electric field. In this paper, we will review several kinds of protein nanopores used in single molecular sequencing, such as α-hemolysin nanopore, MspA nanopore and membrane-adapted phi29 motor protein nanopore.

Highlights

A simple idea for single molecular sequencing is that let nanometer-scale pore (~1.3nm in diameter) provide the sole pathway for single-stranded DNA or RNA
When single-stranded DNA or RNA is driven through the pore under an applied electric field, the ionic current through the pore is reduced and every single nucleotide generates a characteristic residual ionic current which corresponds to its DNA sequence
Several nanopores have been reported to succeed in detecting DNA/RNA sequences

Summary

Introduction

A simple idea for single molecular sequencing is that let nanometer-scale pore (~1.3nm in diameter) provide the sole pathway for single-stranded DNA or RNA. When single-stranded DNA or RNA is driven through the pore under an applied electric field, the ionic current through the pore is reduced and every single nucleotide generates a characteristic residual ionic current which corresponds to its DNA sequence. This method can be used to detect the DNA or RNA sequences rapidly.

Results

Conclusion