Periodic Operation of a Dynamic DNA Origami Structure Utilizing the Hydrophilic–Hydrophobic Phase‐Transition of Stimulus‐Sensitive Polypeptides

Dynamic DNA nanodevices are designed to perform structure‐encoded motion actuated by a variety of different physicochemical stimuli. In this context, hybrid devices utilizing other components than DNA have the potential to considerably expand the library of functionalities. Here, the reversible reconfiguration of a DNA origami structure using the stimulus sensitivity of elastin‐like polypeptides is reported. To this end, a rectangular sheet made using the DNA origami technique is functionalized with these peptides and by applying changes in salt concentration the hydrophilic–hydrophobic phase transition of these peptides actuate the folding of the structure. The on‐demand and reversible switching of the rectangle is driven by externally imposed temperature oscillations and appears at specific transition temperatures. Using transmission electron microscopy, it is shown that the structure exhibits distinct conformational states with different occupation probabilities, which are dependent on structure‐intrinsic parameters such as the local number and the arrangement of the peptides on the rectangle. It is also shown through ensemble fluorescence resonance energy transfer spectroscopy that the transition temperature and thus the thermodynamics of the rectangle‐peptide system depends on the stimuli salt concentration and temperature, as well as on the intrinsic parameters. Dynamic DNA origami devices functionalized with stimulus‐sensitive elastin‐like polypeptides are periodically actuated using external temperature variations. The origami structures exhibit several conformational states which are engineered by changing the arrangement and the number of peptides. The specific designs of the devices also influence the thermodynamic behavior which becomes apparent through changes in temperature dependence and cooperativity.