High-Resolution Single-Molecule FRET via DNA eXchange (FRET X)

Published: Oct. 15, 2020, 5:02 a.m.

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.10.15.340885v1?rss=1 Authors: Filius, M., Kim, S. H., Severins, I., Joo, C. Abstract: Single-molecule FRET is a versatile tool to study nucleic acids and proteins at the nanometer scale. However, currently, only a couple of FRET pairs can be reliably measured on a single object. The limited number of available FRET pair fluorophores and complicated data analysis makes it challenging to apply single-molecule FRET for structural analysis of biomolecules. Currently, only a couple of FRET pairs can be reliably measured on a single object. Here we present an approach that allows for the determination of multiple distances between FRET pairs in a single object. We use programmable, transient binding between short DNA strands to resolve the FRET efficiency of multiple fluorophore pairs. By allowing only a single FRET pair to be formed at a time, we can determine the FRET efficiency and pair distance with sub-nanometer resolution. We determine the distance between other pairs by sequentially exchanging DNA strands. We name this multiplexing approach FRET X for FRET via DNA eXchange. We envision that our FRET X technology will be a tool for the high-resolution structural analysis of biomolecules and other nano-structures. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info