表征不同DNA高阶结构的单分子方法

Single-Molecule Methods for Characterizing Different DNA Higher-Order Structures

DNA不仅是生命遗传信息的载体,而且是一种高度可编程和自组装的纳米材料。不同的DNA结构与其生物和化学功能有关。因此,了解各种DNA结构的物理和化学性质在生物学和纳米化学中具有重要意义。然而,批量分析忽略了溶液中DNA结构的异质性。单分子方法是观察单个分子行为和探测自由能态高度非均质性的有力工具。在本文中,介绍了单分子方法,包括单分子检测和操作方法,并讨论了这些方法如何有助于测量单链/双链DNA(ss/dsDNA)、DNA高阶结构和DNA纳米结构的分子性质。本文为DNA纳米技术与单分子方法的结合提供了一个新的视角,以了解DNA和其他生物物质和软物质的生物物理特性。

DNA is considered to be not only a carrier of the genetic information of life but also a highly programmable and self-assembled nanomaterial.Different DNA structures are related to their biological and chemical functions.Hence,understanding the physical and chemical properties of various DNA structures is of great importance in biology and nanochemistry.However,the bulk assay ignores the heterogeneity of DNA structures in solution.Single-molecule methods are powerful tools for observing the behavior of individual molecules and probing the high heterogeneity of free energy states.In this review,we introduce single-molecule methods,including single-molecule detection and manipulation methods,and discuss how these methods can be conducive to measuring the molecular properties of single-/double-stranded DNA(ss/dsDNA),DNA higher-order structures,and DNA nanostructures.We conclude by providing a new perspective on the combination of DNA nanotechnology and single-molecule methods to understand the biophysical properties of DNA and other bio-matter and soft matter.