Polyhedra self-assembled from DNA tripods and characterized with 3D DNA-PAINT

Science. 2014 Apr 4;344(6179):65-9. doi: 10.1126/science.1250944. Epub 2014 Mar 13.

Abstract

DNA self-assembly has produced diverse synthetic three-dimensional polyhedra. These structures typically have a molecular weight no greater than 5 megadaltons. We report a simple, general strategy for one-step self-assembly of wireframe DNA polyhedra that are more massive than most previous structures. A stiff three-arm-junction DNA origami tile motif with precisely controlled angles and arm lengths was used for hierarchical assembly of polyhedra. We experimentally constructed a tetrahedron (20 megadaltons), a triangular prism (30 megadaltons), a cube (40 megadaltons), a pentagonal prism (50 megadaltons), and a hexagonal prism (60 megadaltons) with edge widths of 100 nanometers. The structures were visualized by means of transmission electron microscopy and three-dimensional DNA-PAINT super-resolution fluorescent microscopy of single molecules in solution.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • DNA / chemistry*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Molecular Weight
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanotechnology
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation*

Substances

  • DNA