Switchable Reconfiguration of a Seven-Ring Interlocked DNA Catenane Nanostructure

The synthesis, purification, and structure characterization of a seven-ring interlocked DNA catenane is described. The design of the seven-ring catenane allows the dynamic reconfiguration of any of the four rings (R1, R3, R4, and R6) on the catenane scaffold, or the simultaneous switching of any combination of two, three, or all four rings to yield 16 different isomeric states of the catenane. The dynamic reconfiguration across the states is achieved by implementing the strand-displacement process in the presence of appropriate fuel/antifuel strands and is probed by fluorescence spectroscopy. Each of the 16 isomers of the catenane can be transformed into any of the other isomers, thus allowing for 240 dynamic transitions within the system.