Dynamic Assembly/Disassembly Processes of Photoresponsive DNA Origami Nanostructures Directly Visualized on a Lipid Membrane Surface

Here, we report the direct visualization of the assembly/disassembly processes of photoresponsive DNA origami nanostructures which can be placed on a lipid bilayer surface. The observation relies on controlled interactions between the bilayer components and cholesterol moieties introduced to the hexagonal origami structures, one of whose outer edges carries Azo-ODNs. The bilayer-placed hexagonal dimer was disassembled into monomer units by UV irradiation, and reversibly assembled again during visible light irradiation. These dynamic processes were directly monitored with highspeed atomic force microscopy. The successful application of our approach should facilitate studies of interactive and functional behaviors of various DNA nanostructures.