Au nanoparticle/DNA rotaxane hybrid nanostructures exhibiting switchable fluorescence properties.
The preparation of a DNA rotaxane consisting of a circular nucleic acid interlocked, through hybridization, on a nucleic acid axle and stoppered by two 10-nm-sized Au nanoparticles (NPs) is described. By the tethering of 5-nm- or 15-nm-sized Au NPs on the ring, the supramolecular structure of the rotaxane is confirmed. Using nucleic acids as "fuels" and "anti-fuels", the cyclic and reversible transition of the rotaxane ring across two states is demonstrated. By the functionalization of the ring with fluorophore-modified nucleic acids in different orientations, the transitions of the rings between the sites are followed by fluorescence quenching or surface-enhanced fluorescence. The experimental results are supported by theoretical modeling.
Institute of Chemistry and The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem , Jerusalem 91904, Israel.
Alessandro
A
Cecconello
Chun-Hua
CH
Lu
Johann
J
Elbaz
Itamar
I
Willner
D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D005453:Fluorescence; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D043862:Rotaxanes / Q000737:chemistry*
D043862:Rotaxanes; D006046:Gold; D004247:DNA