Properties and potential of protein–DNA conjugates for analytic applications

Abstract

This article examines the properties of protein-DNA conjugates and their potential for analytic applications. It begins with a discussion of DNA as a rigid construction tool for protein networks, reducing its functionality to the molecular equivalent of a steel bar in 'large-scale' architecture. It then describes DNA functionality in protein-DNA conjugates, like specific recognition of nucleotide sequences or its unique use as an amplification template. It also considers a range of applications for protein-DNA conjugates, including the use of artificial DNA-protein nanostructures as supramolecular building blocks and DNA-antibody conjugates for ultrasensitive antigen detection. Finally, it evaluates DNA-directed immobilization of protein-DNA adaptor molecules for flexible protein arrays. It shows that protein-DNA conjugates can be used as analytical targets for challenging and calibrating the properties of high-resolution atomic force microscopy, as well as analytical reagents for ultrasensitive target detection in immuno-PCR and related techniques.