title: Fabrication of stable and RNase-resistant RNA nanoparticles active in gearing the nanomotors for viral DNA packaging.
abstract: Both DNA and RNA can serve as powerful building blocks for bottom-up fabrication of nanostructures. A pioneering concept proposed by Ned Seeman 30 years ago has led to an explosion of knowledge in DNA nanotechnology. RNA can be manipulated with simplicity characteristic of DNA, while possessing noncanonical base-pairing, versatile function, and catalytic activity similar to proteins. However, standing in awe of the sensitivity of RNA to RNase degradation has made many scientists flinch away from RNA nanotechnology. Here we report the construction of stable RNA nanoparticles resistant to RNase digestion. The 2'-F (2'-fluoro) RNA retained its property for correct folding in dimer formation, appropriate structure in procapsid binding, and biological activity in gearing the phi29 nanomotor to package viral DNA and producing infectious viral particles. Our results demonstrate that it is practical to produce RNase-resistant, biologically active, and stable RNA for application in nanotechnology.
authors.affiliation: Nanobiomedical Center, SEEBME, College of Engineering & College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267, United States.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Songchuan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Mathieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cinier
authors.forename: Luda S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Shlyakhtenko
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shu
authors.forename: Chaoping
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Guanxin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Peixuan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Guo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017103:Bacillus Phages / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D001483:Base Sequence; D002417:Cattle; D042003:DNA Packaging; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019281:Dimerization; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009154:Mutation; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000737:chemistry; D012313:RNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D020871:RNA Stability; D012260:Ribonucleases / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014771:Virion / Q000378:metabolism; D019065:Virus Assembly
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D011743:Pyrimidines; D014764:Viral Proteins; D012313:RNA; C062210:bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases; D012260:Ribonucleases; C030986:pyrimidine