Enzymatic manipulation of DNA-nanomaterial constructs.

The demonstration and control of biofunction between inorganic nanomaterials and biological scaffolding is crucial to the development of the field of biomaterials. Although unique hierarchical structures can be generated, the impact of nanosized materials on the biological activity of DNA-protein interactions is relatively unknown. Using highly selective proteins that induce sequence-specific conformational perturbations within DNA, we demonstrate the absolute maintenance of biofunction for biomaterials composed of duplex DNA appended with 1.4-nm Au particles. Enzyme activity and DNA binding affinities (K(d)) are unaltered by the nanoparticle-DNA conjugates. Our results provide a foundation for interfacing more complex and diverse protein-DNA-systems.