DNA Scissors James C Mitchell and Bernard Yruke Bell Laboratories, Lucent Technologies Lee Ji Youn

Introduction Designed strands of DNA Nanomachine ( a pair of scissors) strands of DNA closing strand (TY) removal strand (RY) strand displacement by branch migration closing of the jaws opening of the jaws angle of 10 degree All by “Self-Assembly” drop of free energy

It is possible to obtain precision movements of these machines at a small distances (~ 13nm) away from where the closing force is being applied. closureopening coupled precision movement of a pair of jaws

DNA Scissors X version, D version : difference in sequence “C3” spacers containing three CH 2 units :incorporated internally in the strands, short enough to be “hinge-like” rather than “spring-like” handles jaws

closing strand removing strand (complement of the closing strand) branch migration Mechanism for Operation

FRET Observation FRET “Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer” between pairs of 5’-TET and 3’-TAMRA dyes emittingquenching Labeling at QY1F, QY2F Determine the angles subtended by the jaws and by the handles (by measuring the distance) open scissors closed scissors jaws handles

30 min

Gel Electrophoresis Data 2,4,6,8 : closed band 1,3,5,7 : open band cycle difference by closing or dimer formation  confirm!!

Designed Dimer Cannot Form Closed Scissors Compare the behaviour of the dimer standard with a closed scissors solution  the dimer bands migrate slower!

Conclusions and Possible Application A scissors-like structure may be devised out of DNA A more practical tool than the tweezers

laser at 514.5nm

There’s a Specific Closing Strands for Each Pair of Scissors