1.D.329. The Ethane-modified DNA NanoPore (ED-NP) Family

DNA nanopores can be designed flexibly and operate easily while maintaining good biocompatibility. However, because of the small size and good biocompatibility of DNA nanopores, they don't form stable channels on the plasma membrane of live cells. This limits the applicability of DNA nanopores in vivo. Li et al. 2023 constructed ethane-phosphorothioate (PPT) groups modifying DNA nanopores (E-DNA nanopores) to simulate biological channels for the transmembrane transport of small molecules. The E-DNA nanopores were found to be more hydrophobic and stable to anchor at the plasma membrane of live cells for a longer time window for subsequent transmembrane transport after the modification of ethane-PPT groups. The membrane-spanning E-DNA nanopores with a longer dwell time window could inspire the design of new DNA nanostructures and expand their biological applications including biosensing and sequencing, construction of artificial cells and regulation of transmembrane transport (Li et al. 2023).

References:

Li, Y., X. Chen, C. Lv, and Y. Cheng. (2023). Ethane groups modified DNA nanopores to prolong the dwell time on live cell membranes for transmembrane transport. Front Chem 11: 1148699.