Modular photostable fluorescent DNA blocks dissect the effects of pathogenic mutant kinesin on collective transport

Intracellular transport is driven by teams of various motor proteins. Advances in DNA nanotechnology have enabled the programmable linkage of different types of motor proteins. In this study, we developed a modular, photostable, fluorescence-labeled tiny DNA origami block (FTOB) for extended observation of collective transport by selected motor combinations. The FTOB is designed as a 4-helix bundle ([~]8.4 nm) with densely accumulated fluorescent dyes, minimizing blinking and photobleaching. By designing a pair of connector DNAs, FTOBs are heterodimerized following motor protein attachment using the ALFA-tag/nanobody system. Our system examined the impact of a pathogenic mutant kinesin on its collective movement with wild-type kinesin, clearly observing two distinct behaviors: the teams velocity was generally governed by the slower mutant but occasionally surged to levels comparable to that of a single wild-type motor. Our photostable, robust, modular FTOB system could serve as a versatile tool for precisely dissecting cooperative cargo transport.