Abstract
Regulation of self-assembly is crucial in constructing structural biomaterials, such as tunable DNA nanostructures. Traditional tuning of self-assembled DNA nanostructures was mainly conducted by introducing external stimuli after the assembly process. Here, we explored the allosteric assembly of DNA structures via introducing external stimuli during the assembly process to produce structurally heterogeneous polymerization products. We demonstrated that ethidium bromide (EB), a DNA intercalator, could increase the left-handed out-of-plane chirality of curved DNA structures. Then, EB and double strands were introduced as competing stimuli to transform monomers into allosteric conformations, leading to three different polymerization products. The steric trap between different polymerization products promoted the polymerized structures to keep their geometric properties, like chirality, under varying intensity of external stimuli. Our strategy harnesses allosteric effects for assembly of DNA-based materials and is expected to expand the design space for advanced control in synthetic materials.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
