Engineering a 2D protein-DNA crystal.

(Figure Presented) Weaving with DNA: A DNA-binding protein was used to control the structure of a self-assembled 2D crystal. In the absence of protein, four oligonucleotides hybridize to form a Kagome lattice of interwoven double helices with p3 symmetry (see image). Addition of protein RuvA during assembly changes the symmetry and connectivity to give a DNA-protein crystal with an approximately square unit cell. © 2005 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA.