| Author(s): |
Sarah E. Henrickson; Edmund A. DiMarzio; Qian Wang; Vincent M. Stanford; John J. Kasianowicz; |
| Title: |
Probing Single Nanometer-Scale Pores with Polymeric Molecular Rulers |
| Published: |
April 02, 2010 |
| Abstract: |
It has been shown that individual molecules of single stranded DNA can be driven electrophoretically through a single Staphylococcus aureus ?-hemolysin ion channel. Polynucleotides thread through the channel as extended chains and the polymer-induced ionic current blockades exhibit stable modes during the interactions. Additionally, we show here that polynucleotides can be used to probe structural features of the ?-hemolysin channel itself. Specifically, both pore length and channel aperture profile can be estimated. The results are consistent with the channel crystal structure and suggest that polymer-based ?molecular rulers? may prove useful in deducing the structures of nanometer- scale pores in general. |
| Citation: |
Journal of Chemical Physics |
| Volume: |
132 |
| Pages: |
pp. 135101-1 - 135101-8 |
| Keywords: |
alpha hemolysin;alpha toxin;DNA;ion channel;nanopore;polymer confinement;polynucleotide;structure-function |
| Research Areas: |
Semiconductors |
| PDF version: |
 Click here to retrieve PDF version of paper (925KB) |
