Sprecher
Beschreibung
DNA condensates have garnered increasing interest as synthetic analogs of living cells or membraneless compartments, offering potential applications in various fields. While membraneless organelles in cells typically form through complex protein–protein or protein–nucleic acid interactions, synthetic DNA condensates are generally formed by specific DNA–DNA interactions or non-specific hydrophobic interactions. To mimic the diversity of biomolecular interactions involved in the cellular microenvironment, we present here the combined use of specific DNA-DNA and antibody-antigen interactions to induce the formation of DNA-antibody hybrid condensates. To do this, we modified a four-arm DNA nanostar by replacing one sticky-end with one antigen. Only in the presence of the specific bivalent antibody, DNA-antigen nanostars phase-separate to form hybrid condensates. To demonstrate the versatility of the system, we employed multiple antigen-conjugated nanostars and their respective antibodies, achieving orthogonal and specific molecular recognition. This system could be an approach for applications in sensing and drug delivery.
