Enzyme-driven Nanorobots Walking Along Predesigned Tracks on the DNA Origami for Cargo Transport and Catalysis

Abstract

In molecular engineering, designing and synthesizing molecular machines with capable of performing complex tasks, remains a formidable challenge. DNA is an excellent candidate for building molecular robots because it is highly programmable. Here, we present an artificial nanorobot, in which a DNA cube serves as the inert ‘body’, and nucleic acid catalysts based on an enzymatic nicking reaction act as the ‘legs’ for walking. The nanorobot can execute a series of actions, such as ‘start’, ‘turn’, and ‘stop’ when it walks along a predefined track. Its performance could be confirmed and monitored by using an atomic force microscope (AFM) and fluorescence spectroscopy. Inspired by biological machines, we artificially designed a series of specialized tasks that combined walking with control of cargo transport and catalysis. Real-time fluorescence kinetics curves provide monitoring signals for cargo transport and catalytic processes. Our work can enrich the toolbox of DNA machinery and has great potential for engineering molecular nanofactories.

Keywords

DNA origami / DNA nanorobot / Controlled cargo transport / DNAzyme catalysis

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