Lossless end-to-end transport of small molecules through micron-length DNA nanochannels

Abstract

Designed and engineered protein and DNA nanopores can sense and characterize single molecules and control transmembrane transport of molecular species. However, designed biomolecular pores are less than 100 nm in length and are used primarily for transport across lipid membranes. Nanochannels that span longer distances could be used as conduits for molecules between non-adjacent compartments or cells. Here, we design microns-long, 7 nm diameter DNA nanochannels that small molecules can traverse according to the laws of continuum diffusion. Binding DNA origami caps to channel ends eliminates transport and demonstrates that molecules diffuse from one channel end to the other rather than permeating through channel walls. These micron-length nanochannels can also grow, form interconnects, and interface with living cells. This work thus shows how to construct multifunctional, dynamic agents that control molecular transport, opening new ways of studying intercellular signaling and modulating molecular transport between synthetic and living cells.

Mechanochemical signal transduction in synthetic cells

“…DNA nanotechnology emerged as a powerful tool for bottom-up synthetic biology 6 . In particular, versatile DNA nanostructures have been engineered to function as transmembrane pores which allow for the transport of ions 7,8,9 , fluorophores 10,11 , macromolecules 12,13 , DNA 14 , proteins 15 or lipids 16 . However, apart from molecular substrate exchange, a mechanochemical connection to intracellular downstream functions within synthetic cellular compartments is missing.…”