Li Xueqiao, Wang Libang, Wu Wenna, Liu Huajie, Xu Chunhua, Zhang Tao
Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264006, China.
Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics and Laboratory of Soft Matter and Biological Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
Soft Matter. 2024 Dec 18;21(1):27-32. doi: 10.1039/d4sm01028k.
In this study, we utilized the origami technique to integrate various types of spacers into the double-stranded crossover and examined their flexibilities using single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET). We discovered that for the traditional Holliday Junction connection with zero-base spacers, the inter-structural angle measures 58.7 degrees, which aligns well with previous crystallographic research. When introducing non-complementary double-stranded spacers as a free leash, we observed that longer spacers resulted in a more relaxed connection. In contrast, when using complementary segments, the two origami structures rotated as the number of base pairs increased, reflecting the structural characteristics of the B-duplex. Our findings indicate that a stable intramolecular duplex requires a minimum of 5 base pairs. Overall, our results highlight the potential for re-engineering crossovers and designing materials that can change volume with shrink-swell capabilities, as well as applications in torque sensing using short DNA duplexes.
