Angle-controllable RNA tiles for programable array assembly and RNA sensing

Abstract Programmed self-assembly of RNA nanostructures presents a strategic approach to developing biomaterials with tailored properties and functionalities. Despite advancements, the variety, complexity, and programmability of de novo engineered RNA nanostructures remain limited. Here, we introduc...

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Main Authors: Qi Yang, Xu Chang, Jung Yeon Lee, Henry Wisniewski, You Zhou, Ashley D. Bernstein, Edward M. Bonder, Jason T. Kaelber, Teresa Wu, Giulia Pedrielli, Fei Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58938-5
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author Qi Yang
Xu Chang
Jung Yeon Lee
Henry Wisniewski
You Zhou
Ashley D. Bernstein
Edward M. Bonder
Jason T. Kaelber
Teresa Wu
Giulia Pedrielli
Fei Zhang
author_facet Qi Yang
Xu Chang
Jung Yeon Lee
Henry Wisniewski
You Zhou
Ashley D. Bernstein
Edward M. Bonder
Jason T. Kaelber
Teresa Wu
Giulia Pedrielli
Fei Zhang
author_sort Qi Yang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Programmed self-assembly of RNA nanostructures presents a strategic approach to developing biomaterials with tailored properties and functionalities. Despite advancements, the variety, complexity, and programmability of de novo engineered RNA nanostructures remain limited. Here, we introduce a category of artificially designed RNA tiles by integrating antiparallel crossovers and T-junctions, featuring a controllable angle of either 65o or 90o. A total of 22 distinct tiles are explored, significantly expanding the collection of artificially designed multi-stranded RNA tiles. We investigate the design strategies that affect array assembly including T-loop configuration, sticky end pairing, structural diversification, and variations in annealing methods. Additionally, one single-stranded TC-RNA tile is designed and folded co-transcriptionally, suggesting promising applications in synthetic biology and molecular engineering. Furthermore, we demonstrate the integration of split broccoli RNA aptamers into the multi-stranded monomer tiles, enabling fluorescence activation along linear arrays for programmable RNA sensing. The facile incorporation with RNA functional nanostructures highlights the vast potential of these RNA tiles in constructing more sophisticated nanostructures for diverse biomaterial applications.
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publishDate 2025-04-01
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spelling doaj-art-8ac1b4d84a3d490a869d18890edfdbd62025-08-20T02:17:52ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-04-0116111210.1038/s41467-025-58938-5Angle-controllable RNA tiles for programable array assembly and RNA sensingQi Yang0Xu Chang1Jung Yeon Lee2Henry Wisniewski3You Zhou4Ashley D. Bernstein5Edward M. Bonder6Jason T. Kaelber7Teresa Wu8Giulia Pedrielli9Fei Zhang10Department of Chemistry, Rutgers UniversityDepartment of Chemistry, Rutgers UniversityDepartment of Chemistry, Rutgers UniversityDepartment of Chemistry, Rutgers UniversitySchool of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, Arizona State UniversityRutgers CryoEM & Nanoimaging Facility, Rutgers UniversityDepartment of Biological Sciences, Rutgers UniversityRutgers CryoEM & Nanoimaging Facility, Rutgers UniversitySchool of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, Arizona State UniversitySchool of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, Arizona State UniversityDepartment of Chemistry, Rutgers UniversityAbstract Programmed self-assembly of RNA nanostructures presents a strategic approach to developing biomaterials with tailored properties and functionalities. Despite advancements, the variety, complexity, and programmability of de novo engineered RNA nanostructures remain limited. Here, we introduce a category of artificially designed RNA tiles by integrating antiparallel crossovers and T-junctions, featuring a controllable angle of either 65o or 90o. A total of 22 distinct tiles are explored, significantly expanding the collection of artificially designed multi-stranded RNA tiles. We investigate the design strategies that affect array assembly including T-loop configuration, sticky end pairing, structural diversification, and variations in annealing methods. Additionally, one single-stranded TC-RNA tile is designed and folded co-transcriptionally, suggesting promising applications in synthetic biology and molecular engineering. Furthermore, we demonstrate the integration of split broccoli RNA aptamers into the multi-stranded monomer tiles, enabling fluorescence activation along linear arrays for programmable RNA sensing. The facile incorporation with RNA functional nanostructures highlights the vast potential of these RNA tiles in constructing more sophisticated nanostructures for diverse biomaterial applications.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58938-5
spellingShingle Qi Yang
Xu Chang
Jung Yeon Lee
Henry Wisniewski
You Zhou
Ashley D. Bernstein
Edward M. Bonder
Jason T. Kaelber
Teresa Wu
Giulia Pedrielli
Fei Zhang
Angle-controllable RNA tiles for programable array assembly and RNA sensing
Nature Communications
title Angle-controllable RNA tiles for programable array assembly and RNA sensing
title_full Angle-controllable RNA tiles for programable array assembly and RNA sensing
title_fullStr Angle-controllable RNA tiles for programable array assembly and RNA sensing
title_full_unstemmed Angle-controllable RNA tiles for programable array assembly and RNA sensing
title_short Angle-controllable RNA tiles for programable array assembly and RNA sensing
title_sort angle controllable rna tiles for programable array assembly and rna sensing
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58938-5
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