This investigation reveals how divalent cations affect DNA-brick nanofiber stability in complex ionic environments, indicating potential for practical applications.
DNA nanotechnology typically requires idealized Mg²⁺ environments, but practical applications demand structural integrity in complex ionic settings. We investigate how extra divalent cations (Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mn²⁺) modulate the assembly and stability of DNA-brick nanofibers. While Mg²⁺ promotes assembly at optimal levels but induces concentration-dependent aggregation and kinetic hysteresis, Ca²⁺ causes progressive structural erosion. Conversely, Mn²⁺ acts as a potent inhibitor via nucleobase coordination. Notably, individual fiber bending profiles remain unaffected. Our results suggest that ionic radius, hydration, and coordination properties may differentially modulate DNA assembly pathways and stability.
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Liu et al. (2026) studied this question.
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