Engineering a 2D Protein–DNA Crystal

Abstract

Weaving with DNA: A DNA-binding protein was used to control the structure of a self-assembled 2D crystal. In the absence of protein, four oligonucleotides hybridize to form a Kagome lattice of interwoven double helices with p3 symmetry (see image). Addition of protein RuvA during assembly changes the symmetry and connectivity to give a DNA–protein crystal with an approximately square unit cell.