Self-assembling supramolecular complexes by single-stranded extension from plasmid DNA

Oligonucleotides. 2007 Spring;17(1):80-94. doi: 10.1089/oli.2006.0045.

Abstract

Self-assembling supramolecular complexes are of great interest for bottom-up research like nanotechnology. DNA is an inexpensive building block with sequence-specific self-assembling capabilities through Watson-Crick and/or Hoogsteen base pairing and could be used for applications in surface chemistry, material science, nanomechanics, nanoelectronics, nanorobotics, and of course in biology. The starting point is usually single-stranded DNA, which is rather easily accessible for base pairing and duplex formation. When long stretches of double-stranded DNA are desirable, serving either as genetic codes or electrical wires, bacterial expansion of plasmids is an inexpensive approach with scale-up properties. Here, we present a method for using double-stranded DNA of any sequence for generating simple structures, such as junctions and DNA lattices. It is known that supercoiled plasmids are strand-invaded by certain DNA analogs. Here we add to the complexity by using "Self-assembling UNiversal (SUN) anchors" formed by DNA analog oligonucleotides, synthesized with an extension, a "sticky-end" that can be used for further base pairing with single-stranded DNA. We show here how the same set of SUN anchors can be utilized for gene therapy, plasmid purification, junction for lattices, and plasmid dimerization through Watson-Crick base pairing. Using atomic force microscopy, it has been possible to characterize and quantify individual components of such supra-molecular complexes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Pairing
  • Base Sequence
  • DNA / chemistry*
  • DNA, Single-Stranded / chemistry*
  • Dimerization
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Nucleic Acid Hybridization
  • Oligonucleotides / chemistry*
  • Plasmids / chemistry*

Substances

  • DNA, Single-Stranded
  • Oligonucleotides
  • DNA