Transducing methyltransferase activity into electrical signals in a carbon nanotube–DNA device

Abstract

This study creates a device where the DNA is electronically integrated to serve as both the biological target and electrical transducer in a CNT–DNA–CNT device. We detect DNA binding and methylation by the methyltransferase M.SssI at the single molecule level. We demonstrate sequence-specific, reversible binding of M.SssI and protein-catalyzed methylation that alters the protein-binding affinity of the device. This device, which relies on the exquisite electrical sensitivity of DNA, represents a unique route for the specific, single molecule detection of enzymatic activity.