Development of a photo-driven molecular machine with photo-responsive DNA

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In this project, we aimed at creating new photo-driven DNA machines with photo-responsive DNA involving azobenzenes. First, we designed a newly modified azobenzene that enables efficient photo-regulation of DNA hybridization. We found that modification of a distal benzene ring at two ortho-positions was effective for the improvement of both photoregulatory efficiency and thermal stability of cis-form. Furthermore, we also clarified that the modified duplex of alternating base-pair and azobenzene residues allowed complete photo-regulation of DNA hybridization only by light-irradiation. Based on these results, we successfully constructed 1) photo-driven DNA machine that can reversibly digest target RNA, 2) photo-degradable DNA nano-capsule, and 3) DNA machine that can move like seesaw by the combination with visible light-responsive azobenzene.