title: Synthetic lipid membrane channels formed by designed DNA nanostructures.
abstract: We created nanometer-scale transmembrane channels in lipid bilayers by means of self-assembled DNA-based nanostructures. Scaffolded DNA origami was used to create a stem that penetrated and spanned a lipid membrane, as well as a barrel-shaped cap that adhered to the membrane, in part via 26 cholesterol moieties. In single-channel electrophysiological measurements, we found similarities to the response of natural ion channels, such as conductances on the order of 1 nanosiemens and channel gating. More pronounced gating was seen for mutations in which a single DNA strand of the stem protruded into the channel. Single-molecule translocation experiments show that the synthetic channels can be used to discriminate single DNA molecules.
authors.affiliation: Lehrstuhl für Bioelektronik, Physics Department and ZNN/WSI, Technische Universität München, 85748 Garching, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Langecker
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Arnaut
authors.forename: Thomas G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: List
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Renner
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mayer
authors.forename: Hendrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dietz
authors.forename: Friedrich C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Simmel
mesh_terms: D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000737:chemistry*; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D055724:Electrophysiological Phenomena; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000737:chemistry*; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D049329:Nanostructures; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D007473:Ion Channels; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; C021016:1,2-diphytanoylphosphatidylcholine; D004247:DNA; D002784:Cholesterol