Dictated Emergence of Nucleic Acid-Based Constitutional Dynamic Networks by DNA Replication Machineries

J Am Chem Soc. 2021 Jan 13;143(1):241-251. doi: 10.1021/jacs.0c09892. Epub 2020 Dec 23.

Abstract

The emergence of nucleic acid-based constitutional dynamic networks, CDNs, from a pool of nucleic acids is a key process for the understanding and modality of the evolution of biological networks. We present a versatile method that applies a library of nucleic acids coupled to biocatalytic DNA machineries as functional modules for the emergence of CDNs of diverse composition, complexity, and structural diversity. A set of four DNA template/blocker scaffolds coupled to the polymerase/dNTP replication machinery leads, in the presence of a primer, P1, to the gated replication of the scaffolds and to the displacement of four components that reconfigure into a [2 × 2] CDN. Using six template/blocker scaffolds and the polymerase/dNTPs, the P1-guided emergence of a [3 × 3] CDN is demonstrated. In addition, by further engineering the template/blocker scaffolds, the hierarchical control over the composition of the P1-guided emergence of [3 × 3] CDNs is accomplished. Also, sequence-engineered template/blocker scaffolds, coupled to the polymerase/dNTP machinery, lead, in the presence of two primers P1 and/or P2, to the selective emergence of two different [2 × 2] CDNs or to a [3 × 3] CDN. Also, a set of six appropriately engineered template/blocker scaffolds, coupled to the polymerase/dNTP machinery, leads to the emergence of a CDN composed of four equilibrated DNA tetrahedra constituents. Finally, by further sequence engineering of the set of template/blocker scaffolds and their coupling to a nicking/polymerization/dNTP replication machinery, the amplified high-throughput emergence of CDNs is demonstrated.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biocatalysis
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • DNA Replication*
  • DNA, Catalytic / chemistry*
  • DNA, Catalytic / genetics*
  • DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / genetics
  • Evolution, Chemical
  • Gene Library

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • DNA, Catalytic
  • DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase