DNA-templated protein arrays for single-molecule imaging

Nano Lett. 2011 Feb 9;11(2):657-60. doi: 10.1021/nl1037769. Epub 2011 Jan 10.

Abstract

Single-particle electron cryomicroscopy permits structural characterization of noncrystalline protein samples, but throughput is limited by problems associated with sample preparation and image processing. Three-dimensional density maps are reconstructed from high resolution but noisy images of individual molecules. We show that self-assembled DNA nanoaffinity templates can create dense, nonoverlapping arrays of protein molecules, greatly facilitating data collection. We demonstrate this technique using a G-protein-coupled membrane receptor, a soluble G-protein, and a signaling complex of both molecules.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • DNA / chemistry*
  • DNA / ultrastructure*
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Molecular Probe Techniques / instrumentation*
  • Nanotechnology / instrumentation*
  • Protein Array Analysis / instrumentation*

Substances

  • DNA