{
  "abstract": "The mechanical behavior of DNA origami nanostructures (DONs) is governed by both design parameters and ionic environment, yet their coupled effects remain poorly understood. Here, atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based contour analysis is used to quantify the persistence length (Lp), contour length (Lc), and end-to-end distance (Ree) of DON six-helix bundles (6HBs) with different staple crossover densities. Non-ligated and ligated 6HBs are compared in the presence of MgCl2 and SrCl2, while oxDNA simulations employing implicit monovalent salt screening help distinguish design-dependent from ion-specific effects. While providing comparable diffuse electrostatic screening, Mg2+ and Sr2+ interact differently with DONs and produce distinct design-dependent mechanical responses. For non-ligated 6HBs, lower Lp values are obtained in Sr2+ than in Mg2+, with the magnitude of the difference depending on crossover density. Paired Ree-versus-Lc analysis further indicates greater bending heterogeneity in Sr2+. In the presence of both cations, ligation may lead to an increase or a decrease in Lp depending on crossover density. Simulations reproduce the opposite ligation responses of the two designs but not the Mg2+-associated behavior, supporting an additional contribution from specific divalent cation interactions. These results establish crossover density, backbone continuity, and cation species as coupled variables whose interplay controls DON mechanics.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, Paderborn University, Warburger Strasse 100, Paderborn, Germany, 33098",
    "Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica, Università degli Studi di Bari and INFN, via Amendola 173, Bari, Italy, I-70121"
  ],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 5,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Emilia Juricke"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Mohammed Fatafta"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Guido Grundmeier"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Antonio Suma"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Adrian Keller",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-7139-3110"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/4zvxrqjhkkqk5.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.26434/chemrxiv.15010878/v1",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "4zvxrqjhkkqk5",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://chemrxiv.org/doi/full/10.26434/chemrxiv.15010878/v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "1312|Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7223173970",
  "pdf_url": "https://chemrxiv.org/doi/pdf/10.26434/chemrxiv.15010878/v1",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-22",
  "publisher": "American Chemical Society (ACS)",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/4zvxrqjhkkqk5.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:26Z",
      "native_id": "10.26434/chemrxiv.15010878",
      "source": "chemrxiv",
      "url": "https://chemrxiv.org/doi/full/10.26434/chemrxiv.15010878/v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biochemistry",
      "origin": "openalex:1312|Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques",
      "subfield": "molecular-biology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Influence of Divalent Cations on the Mechanical Properties of DNA Origami Six-Helix Bundles",
  "title_text": "Influence of Divalent Cations on the Mechanical Properties of DNA Origami Six-Helix Bundles",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:26Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/4zvxrqjhkkqk5",
  "venue": "ChemRxiv",
  "versions": []
}