The Nuclear Pore Complex (NPC) is the largest protein complex in the cell. About 1000 proteins make up this wonderful structure, which perforates the double-membrane structure of the nuclear envelope and mediates selective exchange of proteins and RNA between nucleoplasm and cytoplasm.
Credits: Anthony Schuller
Credits: Nicola De Franceschi
Our collaborators from the Dietz Lab (TUM) have designed and produced a synthetic version of the NPC made of DNA origami.
As a compelling demonstration of the level of programmability that can be achieved using DNA origami, this pore matches the size and geometry of a real NPC.
Cholesterol groups (indicated in red) allowed us to reconstitute this synthetic NPC in giant liposomes.
To the interior of the ring, attachment site for spaghetti-like proteins, called Nups, will allow to reconstitute selective transport across the pore.
Work done in the Dekker Lab in collaboration with the Dietz lab.
