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Responsive core-shell DNA particles trigger lipid-membrane disruption and bacteria entrapment

Author

Listed:
  • Michal Walczak

    (University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue)

  • Ryan A. Brady

    (King’s College London)

  • Leonardo Mancini

    (University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue)

  • Claudia Contini

    (Imperial College London
    Imperial College London)

  • Roger Rubio-Sánchez

    (University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue)

  • William T. Kaufhold

    (University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue
    Imperial College London)

  • Pietro Cicuta

    (University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue)

  • Lorenzo Michele

    (University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue
    Imperial College London
    Imperial College London)

Abstract

Biology has evolved a variety of agents capable of permeabilizing and disrupting lipid membranes, from amyloid aggregates, to antimicrobial peptides, to venom compounds. While often associated with disease or toxicity, these agents are also central to many biosensing and therapeutic technologies. Here, we introduce a class of synthetic, DNA-based particles capable of disrupting lipid membranes. The particles have finely programmable size, and self-assemble from all-DNA and cholesterol-DNA nanostructures, the latter forming a membrane-adhesive core and the former a protective hydrophilic corona. We show that the corona can be selectively displaced with a molecular cue, exposing the ‘sticky’ core. Unprotected particles adhere to synthetic lipid vesicles, which in turn enhances membrane permeability and leads to vesicle collapse. Furthermore, particle-particle coalescence leads to the formation of gel-like DNA aggregates that envelop surviving vesicles. This response is reminiscent of pathogen immobilisation through immune cells secretion of DNA networks, as we demonstrate by trapping E. coli bacteria.

Suggested Citation

  • Michal Walczak & Ryan A. Brady & Leonardo Mancini & Claudia Contini & Roger Rubio-Sánchez & William T. Kaufhold & Pietro Cicuta & Lorenzo Michele, 2021. "Responsive core-shell DNA particles trigger lipid-membrane disruption and bacteria entrapment," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-11, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-24989-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24989-7
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    Cited by:

    1. Emmanuel Stiakakis & Niklas Jung & Nataša Adžić & Taras Balandin & Emmanuel Kentzinger & Ulrich Rücker & Ralf Biehl & Jan K. G. Dhont & Ulrich Jonas & Christos N. Likos, 2021. "Self assembling cluster crystals from DNA based dendritic nanostructures," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Avik Samanta & Maximilian Hörner & Wei Liu & Wilfried Weber & Andreas Walther, 2022. "Signal-processing and adaptive prototissue formation in metabolic DNA protocells," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.

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