Biomimetic Compartments Scaffolded by Nucleic Acid Nanostructures

Abstract

The behaviors of living cells are governed by a series of regulated and confined biochemical reactions. The design and successful construction of synthetic cellular reactors can be useful in a broad range of applications that will bring significant scientific and economic impact. Over the past few decades, DNA self-assembly has enabled the design and fabrication of sophisticated 1D, 2D, and 3D nanostructures, and is applied to organizing a variety of biomolecular components into prescribed 2D and 3D patterns. In this Concept, the recent and exciting progress in DNA-scaffolded compartmentalizations and their applications in enzyme encapsulation, lipid membrane assembly, artificial transmembrane nanopores, and smart drug delivery are in focus. Taking advantage of these features promises to deliver breakthroughs toward the attainment of new synthetic and biomimetic reactors.

Keywords: DNA nanocaged enzymes; DNA-confined lipid membranes; DNA-scaffolded assembly; smart drug delivery; synthetic reactors.