Construction of RNA nanocages by re-engineering the packaging RNA of Phi29 bacteriophage

Chenhui Hao; Xiang Li; Cheng Tian; Wen Jiang; Guansong Wang; Chengde Mao

doi:10.1038/ncomms4890

Construction of RNA nanocages by re-engineering the packaging RNA of Phi29 bacteriophage

Nat Commun. 2014 May 16:5:3890. doi: 10.1038/ncomms4890.

Authors

Chenhui Hao¹, Xiang Li¹, Cheng Tian¹, Wen Jiang², Guansong Wang³, Chengde Mao⁴

Affiliations

¹ 1] Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA [2].
² Markey Center for Structural Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA.
³ The Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Xinqiao Hospital, Chongqing 400037, China.
⁴ Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA.

PMID: 24835104
DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4890

Abstract

RNA nanotechnology promises rational design of RNA nanostructures with wide array of structural diversities and functionalities. Such nanostructures could be used in applications such as small interfering RNA delivery and organization of in vivo chemical reactions. Though having impressive development in recent years, RNA nanotechnology is still quite limited and its programmability and complexity could not rival the degree of its closely related cousin: DNA nanotechnology. Novel strategies are needed for programmed RNA self-assembly. Here, we have assembled RNA nanocages by re-engineering a natural, biological RNA motif: the packaging RNA of phi29 bacteriophage. The resulting RNA nanostructures have been thoroughly characterized by gel electrophoresis, cryogenic electron microscopy imaging and dynamic light scattering.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Bacillus Phages / genetics*
Nanostructures / chemistry*
Nucleotide Motifs
RNA, Viral / chemistry*
Virus Assembly / genetics*

Substances

RNA, Viral