Molecular self-assembly of "nanowires"and "nanospools" using active transport.
Mastering supramolecular self-assembly to a similar degree as nature has achieved on a subcellular scale is critical for the efficient fabrication of complex nanoscopic and mesoscopic structures. We demonstrate that active, molecular-scale transport powered by biomolecular motors can be utilized to drive the self-assembly of mesoscopic structures that would not form in the absence of active transport. In the presented example, functionalized microtubules transported by surface-immobilized kinesin motors cross-link via biotin/streptavidin bonds and form extended linear and circular mesoscopic structures, which move in the presence of ATP. The self-assembled structures are oriented, exhibit large internal strains, and are metastable while the biomolecular motors are active. The integration of molecular motors into the self-assembly process overcomes the trade-off between stability and complexity in thermally activated molecular self-assembly.
Hess
Henry
H
Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA. hhess@u.washington.edu
Clemmens
John
J
Brunner
Christian
C
Doot
Robert
R
Luna
Sheila
S
Ernst
Karl-Heinz
KH
Vogel
Viola
V
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000737:chemistry; D001693:Biological Transport, Active; D001710:Biotin / Q000737:chemistry; D019921:Biotinylation; D016547:Kinesins / Q000737:chemistry*; D008870:Microtubules / Q000737:chemistry*; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D019809:Streptavidin / Q000737:chemistry
D001710:Biotin; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D019809:Streptavidin; D016547:Kinesins