In vivo cloning of artificial DNA nanostructures

Chenxiang Lin, Sherri Rinker, Xing Wang, Yan Liu, Nadrian C. Seeman, Hao Yan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

94 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mimicking nature is both a key goal and a difficult challenge for the scientific enterprise. DNA, well known as the genetic-information carrier in nature, can be replicated efficiently in living cells. Today, despite the dramatic evolution of DNA nanotechnology, a versatile method that replicates artificial DNA nanostructures with complex secondary structures remains an appealing target. Previous success in replicating DNA nanostructures enzymatically in vitro suggests that a possible solution could be cloning these nanostructures by using viruses. Here, we report a system where a single-stranded DNA nanostructure (Holliday junction or paranemic cross-over DNA) is inserted into a phagemid, transformed into XL1-Blue cells and amplified in vivo in the presence of helper phages. High copy numbers of cloned nanostructures can be obtained readily by using standard molecular biology techniques. Correct replication is verified by a number of assays including nondenaturing PAGE, Ferguson analysis, endonuclease VII digestion, and hydroxyl radical autofootprinting. The simplicity, efficiency, and fidelity of nature are fully reflected in this system. UV-induced psoralen cross-linking is used to probe the secondary structure of the inserted junction in infected cells. Our data suggest the possible formation of the immobile four-arm junction in vivo.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)17626-17631
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume105
Issue number46
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 18 2008

Keywords

  • DNA nanotechnology
  • Immobile DNA junction
  • Self-replication
  • Synthetic biology

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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