Modulating lipid membrane morphology by dynamic DNA origami networks

TL;DR

This paper presents a DNA origami-based system that can dynamically reconfigure on vesicle membranes to control and modulate membrane shape and curvature, mimicking cellular membrane dynamics.

Contribution

It introduces a novel DNA origami network that can be reconfigured into different structures to actively remodel membrane morphology.

Findings

DNA origami networks can switch conformations using DNA fuels.

Networks effectively induce membrane curvature changes.

Reconfigurable systems enable programmable membrane modulation.

Abstract

Membrane morphology and its dynamic adaptation regulate many cellular functions, which are often mediated by membrane proteins. Advances in DNA nanotechnology have enabled the realization of various protein-inspired structures and functions with precise control at the nanometer level, suggesting a viable tool to artificially engineer the membrane morphology. In this work, we demonstrate a DNA origami cross (DOC) structure that can be anchored onto giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) and subsequently polymerized into micron-scale reconfigurable one-dimensional (1D) chains or two-dimensional (2D) lattices. Such DNA origami-based networks can be switched between left-handed (LH) and right-handed (RH) conformations by DNA fuels and exhibit potent efficacy in remodeling the membrane curvatures of GUVs. This work sheds light on designing hierarchically-assembled dynamic DNA systems for the programmable modulation of synthetic cells for useful applications.