Title: Expanding the Design Space of Synthetic Membrane Pores.
Abstract: DNA nanotechnology allows for the creation of
three-dimensional structures at nanometer scale. Here, we use DNA to build
the smallest and the largest synthetic channel in lipid membranes with
ionic conductances spanning over two orders of magnitude. We use atomic
force microscopy, confocal imaging, and ionic current recordings to
characterize a single DNA duplex ion channel and a megadalton DNA
origami-based porin. Combining experiments with all-atom molecular
dynamics simulations, we demonstrate that a lipid meniscus forms around
the DNA helices and thus unambiguously clarify that this ion pathway
contributes to the total conduction of DNA pores. Our work showcases
rational DNA-based membrane channels inspired by nature.