Paper in Nature Methods
Spatial control of membrane receptor function using ligand nanocalipers
Alan Shaw, Vanessa Lundin, Ekaterina Petrova, Ferenc Fördős, Erik Benson, Abdullah Al-Amin, Anna Herland, Andries Blokzijl, Björn Högberg & Ana I Teixeira
Nature Methods 11, 841–846 (2014) doi:10.1038/nmeth.3025, 06 July 2014
The spatial organization of membrane-bound ligands is thought to regulate receptor-mediated signaling. However, direct regulation of receptor function by nanoscale distribution of ligands has not yet been demonstrated, to our knowledge. We developed rationally designed DNA origami nanostructures modified with ligands at well-defined positions. Using these ‘nanocalipers’ to present ephrin ligands, we showed that the nanoscale spacing of ephrin-A5 directs the levels of EphA2 receptor activation in human breast cancer cells. Furthermore, we found that the nanoscale distribution of ephrin-A5 regulates the invasive properties of breast cancer cells. Our ligand nanocaliper approach has the potential to provide insight into the roles of ligand nanoscale spatial distribution in membrane receptor–mediated signaling.