Synchronous operation of biomolecular engines

Abstract

Biomolecular motor systems are the smallest natural machines with an ability to convert chemical energy into mechanical work with remarkably high efficiency. Such attractive features enabled biomolecular motors to become classic tools in soft matter research over the past decade. For designing suitably engineered biomimetic systems, the biomolecular motors can potentially be used as molecular engines that can transform energy and ensure great advantages for the construction of bio-nanodevices and molecular robots. From the optimization of their prolonged lifetime to coordinate them into highly complex and ordered structures, enormous efforts have been devoted to make them useful in the synthetic environment. Synchronous operation of the biomolecular engines is one of the key criteria to coordinate them into certain different patterns, which depends on the local interaction of biomolecular motors. Utilizing chemical and physical stimuli, synchronization of biomolecular motor systems has become possible, which allows them to coordinate into different higher ordered patterns with different modes of functionality. Recently, programmed synchronous operation of the biomolecular engines has also been demonstrated, using a smart biomaterial to build up swarms reminiscent of nature. Here, we review the recent progress in the synchronized operation of biomolecular motors in engineered systems to explicitly program their interaction and further their applications. Such developments in the coordination of biomolecular motors have opened a broad way to explore the construction of future autonomous molecular machines and robots based on synchronization of biomolecular engines.

Single-molecule diffusometry reveals no catalysis-induced diffusion enhancement of alkaline phosphatase as proposed by FCS experiments

“…Catalysis-fueled propulsion of biomolecules at the nanoscale is no doubt a fascinating concept and has potential applications in the field of nanoscience and medicine ( 42 – 49 ). However, mounting experimental and theoretical evidence argue against the mechanism, scale, and even the existence of such phenomenon ( 1 , 2 , 14 , 16 , 38 , 50 ).…”

Dynamics of Active Polar Ring Polymers

“…The discussed dynamical properties of APRPs should be experimentally accessible via structures formed by microtubules [16,18,19] or actin filaments driven by molecular motors. For a microtubule of length L = 1 µm, the force per motor F a = 6 pN, and N = 10 active motors, the Péclet number at room temperature is P e = N F L/(k B T ) ≈ 10 4 [54], on the order of the Péclet numbers in Figures 2 and 3.…”

“…The circular shape substantially affects their dynamical behavior which deviates from that of comparable linear structures. This is emphasized in experiments on microtubules placed on motility assays, which reveal ring-like structures [17][18][19] and an emergent rotational motion [17,19].…”

Molecular Swarm Robot Realized by the Intelligence of a Biomolecular Motor System and DNA

“…For example, microtubule (MT)/kinesin system has been used to demonstrate swarming in the in vitro gliding assay. In this system, MT filaments are driven on kinesin coated surface in the presence of adenosine triphos phate (ATP) 4), 5) . By manipulating the interaction among MT filaments, different patterns with directional motion have been demonstrated by introducing crowding agents 4),5) .…”