Abstract
Sliding is one of the fundamental mechanical movements in machinery. In macroscopic systems, double-rack pinion machines employ gears to slide two linear tracks along opposite directions. In microscopic systems, kinesin-5 proteins crosslink and slide apart antiparallel microtubules, promoting spindle bipolarity and elongation during mitosis. Here we demonstrate an artificial nanoscopic analog, in which gold nanocrystals can mediate coordinated sliding of two antiparallel DNA origami filaments powered by DNA fuels. Stepwise and reversible sliding along opposite directions is in situ monitored and confirmed using fluorescence spectroscopy. A theoretical model including different energy transfer mechanisms is developed to understand the observed fluorescence dynamics. We further show that such sliding can also take place in the presence of multiple DNA sidelocks that are introduced to inhibit the relative movements. Our work enriches the toolbox of DNA-based nanomachinery, taking one step further toward the vision of molecular nanofactories.
Highlights
Sliding is one of the fundamental mechanical movements in machinery
Inspired by the intriguing sliding function of motor proteins, we construct an artificial nanoscopic analog, in which relative movements between doublet DNA origami filaments is mediated by coordinated nanoscale motions of gold nanocrystals (AuNCs) powered by DNA fuels
One of the exciting objectives in the field of DNA nanotechnology is to accomplish advanced artificial nanofactories, in which the spatial arrangements of different components and most dynamic behavior are enabled by DNA52
Summary
Sliding is one of the fundamental mechanical movements in machinery. In macroscopic systems, double-rack pinion machines employ gears to slide two linear tracks along opposite directions. We demonstrate an artificial nanoscopic analog, in which gold nanocrystals can mediate coordinated sliding of two antiparallel DNA origami filaments powered by DNA fuels. A living cell is a miniature factory containing a variety of motor proteins, which can perform complicated tasks powered by chemical energy[1,2]. Such natural wonders developed through billions of years of evolution surpass any human-made nanomachines[3,4] in complexity and sophistication. Inspired by the intriguing sliding function of motor proteins, we construct an artificial nanoscopic analog, in which relative movements between doublet DNA origami filaments is mediated by coordinated nanoscale motions of gold nanocrystals (AuNCs) powered by DNA fuels
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
