Measuring interactions of DNA with nanoporous protein crystals by atomic force microscopy
- 9 June 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) in Nanoscale
- Vol. 13 (24), 10871-10881
- https://doi.org/10.1039/d1nr01703a
Abstract
Crosslinked porous protein crystals are a new biomaterial that can be engineered to encapsulate, stabilize, and organize guest molecules, nanoparticles, and biological moieties. In this study, for the first time, the combined interactions of DNA strands with porous protein crystals are quantitatively measured by high-resolution atomic force microscopy (AFM) and chemical force microscopy. The surface structure of protein crystals with unusually large pores was observed in liquid via high-resolution AFM. Force–distance (F–D) curves were also obtained using AFM tips modified to present or capture DNA. The modification of AFM tips allowed the tips to covalently bind DNA that was pre-loaded in the protein crystal nanopores. The modified tips enabled the interactions of DNA molecules with protein crystals to be quantitatively studied while revealing the morphology of the buffer-immersed protein crystal surface in detail, thereby preserving the structure and properties of protein crystals that could be disrupted or destroyed by drying. The hexagonal space group was manifest at the crystal surface, as were the strong interactions between DNA and the porous protein crystals in question. In sum, this study furthered our understanding of how a new protein-based biomaterial can be used to bind guest DNA assemblies.Funding Information
- Division of Biological Infrastructure (1531921)
- Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems (1704901)
This publication has 30 references indexed in Scilit:
- Continuous Measurement of Atomic Force Microscope Tip Wear by Contact Resonance Force MicroscopySmall, 2011
- Influence of External Force on Properties and Reactivity of Disulfide BondsThe Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 2011
- Surface Dependence of Protein Nanocrystal FormationSmall, 2010
- Introduction to Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) in BiologyCurrent Protocols in Protein Science, 2009
- Streptavidin 2D Crystal Substrates for Visualizing Biomolecular Processes by Atomic Force MicroscopyBiophysical Journal, 2009
- Dynamics of bacteriorhodopsin 2D crystal observed by high-speed atomic force microscopyJournal of Structural Biology, 2009
- Direct Patterning of Anti‐Human Serum Albumin Antibodies on Aldehyde‐Terminated Silicon Nitride Surfaces for HSA Protein DetectionSmall, 2009
- Single-molecule mechanics of mussel adhesionProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2006
- An in situ AFM investigation of catalase crystallizationSurface Science, 1997
- In situ studies of protein crystal growth by atomic force microscopyJournal of Physics D: Applied Physics, 1993