Coordinated chemomechanical cycles: a mechanism for autonomous molecular motion.

Journal article

The second law of thermodynamics requires that directed motion be accompanied by dissipation of energy. Here we demonstrate the working principles of a bipedal molecular motor. The motor is constructed from DNA and is driven by the hybridization of a DNA fuel. We show how the catalytic activities of the feet can be coordinated to create a Brownian ratchet that is in principle capable of directional and processive movement along a track. This system can be driven away from equilibrium, demonstrating the potential of the motor to do work.

Authors: Green, S; Bath, J; Turberfield, A

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Physical Review Letters
• Volume: 101
• Issue: 23
• Pages: 238101
• Publication date: 2008-12-01
• DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.101.238101
• EISSN: 1079-7114
• ISSN: 0031-9007
• Language: English
• Keywords: DNA; Catalysis; Base Sequence; Nucleic Acid Conformation; Thermodynamics; Molecular Sequence Data; Kinetics