A Structurally Variable Hinged Tetrahedron Framework from DNA Origami

Figure 1

Schematic view of DNA origami tetrahedron. (a) In the three-dimensional representation, each double-helical section is represented by a single red cylinder. The six struts are labeled 1 through 6, and each consist of a bundle of six parallelly connected double helices. (b) A two-dimensional diagram of the hinged vertex formed by struts 4, 5, and 6 shows the path of the m13MP18-based scaffold (blue) forming the single-stranded connections between bundles and the pattern of staple oligonucleotides (red) around the hinge. (c) Local structure of the scaffold path within strut 5 shows three closely aligned scaffold crossovers stabilized by short staple sections forming the weakened gap. The scaffold path on opposite sides of the gap is marked in either yellow or blue to emphasize the discontinuity.