Humidity Dependence of Charge Transport through DNA Revealed by Silicon-Based Nanotweezers Manipulation

Yamahata, Christophe; Collard, Dominique; Takekawa, T.; Kumemura, Momoko; Hashiguchi, Gen; Fujita, Hiroyuki

doi:10.1529/biophysj.107.115980

Cited by 72 publications

(85 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…In recent years, studies examining the electrical properties of double-helical DNA and DNA bundles have found a similar dependence of conductivity on relative humidity [7,8,9]. Experimental data shows that the conductivity of DNA increases by a simple exponential over nearly the entire range of relative humidity (10% to 100%), and spans roughly six orders of magnitude.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Ionic conductivity on a wetting surface

2009

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Recent experiments measuring the electrical conductivity of DNA molecules highlight the need for a theoretical model of ion transport along a charged surface. Here we present a simple theory based on the idea of unbinding of ion pairs. The strong humidity dependence of conductivity is explained by the decrease in the electrostatic self-energy of a separated pair when a layer of water (with high dielectric constant) is adsorbed to the surface. We compare our prediction for conductivity to experiment, and discuss the limits of its applicability.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Ionic conductivity on a wetting surface

2009

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“…Most biomacromolecules were extensively characterized in aqueous environments, but in TLC phases, their solvent-free properties and functions could be investigated in a state in which no or only traces of water are present. Water exhibits a high dielectric constant and has the ability to form hydrogen bonds, greatly influencing the structure and functions of biomacromolecules or compromising electronic properties such as charge transport (12)(13)(14)(15). Indeed, anhydrous TLC systems containing glycolipids (16)(17)(18)(19), ferritin (20), and polylysine have been reported (21)(22)(23).…”

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confidence: 99%

Thermotropic liquid crystals from biomacromolecules

Li¹,

Chen

Marcozzi³

et al. 2014

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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Complexation of biomacromolecules (e.g., nucleic acids, proteins, or viruses) with surfactants containing flexible alkyl tails, followed by dehydration, is shown to be a simple generic method for the production of thermotropic liquid crystals. The anhydrous smectic phases that result exhibit biomacromolecular sublayers intercalated between aliphatic hydrocarbon sublayers at or near room temperature. Both this and low transition temperatures to other phases enable the study and application of thermotropic liquid crystal phase behavior without thermal degradation of the biomolecular components.L iquid crystals (LCs) play an important role in biology because their essential characteristic, the combination of order and mobility, is a basic requirement for self-organization and structure formation in living systems (1-3). Thus, it is not surprising that the study of LCs emerged as a scientific discipline in part from biology and from the study of myelin figures, lipids, and cell membranes (4). These and the LC phases formed from many other biomolecules, including nucleic acids (5, 6), proteins (7,8), and viruses (9, 10), are classified as lyotropic, the general term applied to LC structures formed in water and stabilized by the distinctly biological theme of amphiphilic partitioning of hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecular components into separate domains. However, the principal thrust and achievement of the study of LCs has been in the science and application of thermotropic materials, structures, and phases in which molecules that are only weakly amphiphilic exhibit LC ordering by virtue of their steric molecular shape, flexibility, and/or weak intermolecular interactions [e.g., van der Waals and dipolar forces (11)]. These characteristics enable thermotropic LCs (TLCs) to adopt a wide variety of exotic phases and to exhibit dramatic and useful responses to external forces, including, for example, the electro-optic effects that have led to LC displays and the portable computing revolution. This general distinction between lyotropic LCs and TLCs suggests there may be interesting possibilities in the development of biomolecular or bioinspired LC systems in which the importance of amphiphilicity is reduced and the LC phases obtained are more thermotropic in nature. Such biological TLC materials are very appealing for several reasons. Most biomacromolecules were extensively characterized in aqueous environments, but in TLC phases, their solvent-free properties and functions could be investigated in a state in which no or only traces of water are present. Water exhibits a high dielectric constant and has the ability to form hydrogen bonds, greatly influencing the structure and functions of biomacromolecules or compromising electronic properties such as charge transport (12-15). Indeed, anhydrous TLC systems containing glycolipids (16-19), ferritin (20), and polylysine have been reported (21-23). However, a general approach to fabricating TLCs based on nucleic acids, polypeptides, proteins, and protein assemblies of larg...

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“…It is widely accepted now that long‐range charge transport in DNA occurs primarily via a multistep hopping mechanism in which guanine base pairs function as carriers of the positive charge (Giese, 2002). Conflicting interpretations about the nature of DNA conductivity have been linked to the sensitivity of transport measurements to the purity of the samples, intrinsic properties of the DNA molecule (such as conformation and length), and extrinsic parameters that modulate these properties (e.g., humidity) (Yamahata et al ., 2008). Evidence is also emerging in support for a mechanism of GS T4P conductance dominated by multistep hopping (Feliciano et al ., 2015).…”

Section: Geobacter T4p: a Paradigm In Structure And Functionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Harnessing the power of microbial nanowires

Reguera

2018

Microbial Biotechnology

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SummaryThe reduction of iron oxide minerals and uranium in model metal reducers in the genus Geobacter is mediated by conductive pili composed primarily of a structurally divergent pilin peptide that is otherwise recognized, processed and assembled in the inner membrane by a conserved Type IVa pilus apparatus. Electronic coupling among the peptides is promoted upon assembly, allowing the discharge of respiratory electrons at rates that greatly exceed the rates of cellular respiration. Harnessing the unique properties of these conductive appendages and their peptide building blocks in metal bioremediation will require understanding of how the pilins assemble to form a protein nanowire with specialized sites for metal immobilization. Also important are insights into how cells assemble the pili to make an electroactive matrix and grow on electrodes as biofilms that harvest electrical currents from the oxidation of waste organic substrates. Genetic engineering shows promise to modulate the properties of the peptide building blocks, protein nanowires and current‐harvesting biofilms for various applications. This minireview discusses what is known about the pilus material properties and reactions they catalyse and how this information can be harnessed in nanotechnology, bioremediation and bioenergy applications.

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Humidity Dependence of Charge Transport through DNA Revealed by Silicon-Based Nanotweezers Manipulation

Cited by 72 publications

References 49 publications

Ionic conductivity on a wetting surface

Ionic conductivity on a wetting surface

Thermotropic liquid crystals from biomacromolecules

Harnessing the power of microbial nanowires

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