Fig. 6. A mechano-sensitive enzyme actuated by a “DNA spring”. A 60 nucleotide long ssDNA linker is conjugated with both ends to the two lobes of guanylate kinase. By binding of the complementary oligonucleotide, the mechanical properties of the DNA linker change, transforming it into a rigid rod. The rigidity of the linker exerts a mechanical force on the protein, reducing its catalytic activity. Figure adapted from ref. 46. Copyright (2009), with permission from Elsevier.