Probing exchange pathways in one-dimensional aggregates with super-resolution microscopy.
Supramolecular fibers are prominent structures in biology and chemistry. A quantitative understanding of molecular exchange pathways in these one-dimensional aggregates was obtained by a combination of super-resolution stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy and stochastic simulation. The potential of this methodology is demonstrated with a set of well-defined synthetic building blocks that self-assemble into supramolecular fibrils. Previous ensemble measurements hid all molecular phenomena underpinning monomer exchange, but the molecular pathway determined from single-aggregate studies revealed unexpected homogeneous exchange along the polymer backbone. These results pave the way for experimental investigation of the structure and exchange pathways of synthetic and natural supramolecular fibers.
Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Post Office Box 513, 5600 MD Eindhoven, Netherlands.
Lorenzo
L
Albertazzi
Daan
D
van der Zwaag
Christianus M A
CM
Leenders
Robert
R
Fitzner
Remco W
RW
van der Hofstad
E W
EW
Meijer
D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001549:Benzamides / Q000737:chemistry; D001704:Biopolymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D002232:Carbocyanines / Q000737:chemistry; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods*; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*
D001549:Benzamides; D001704:Biopolymers; D002232:Carbocyanines; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D011108:Polymers; C089187:cyanine dye 3; C085321:cyanine dye 5; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols