Tuning Geometric Conformations of Curved DNA Structures by Controlling Positions of Nicks

DNA origami is one of the powerful techniques that utilize DNA as building blocks to synthesize nanostructures. Traditionally, through introducing different numbers of insertions and deletions of base pairs in DNA helices, the in-plane bending angle of curved DNA structures could be roughly tuned. Here, we explored a strategy that used the position patterns of nicks in staple strands to tune the geometric conformation of curved DNA origami structures, including in-plane bending, out-of-plane bending, and twisting angles. When the structure adopted different patterns of nicks positions, great difference appeared in the geometric properties. Further, by combining subunits of different nicks position patterns, the bending and twisting of the combined structure was effectively tuned. The strategy increases the design accuracy of curved DNA origami structures and expands the toolbox for designing DNA structures.