Modular Weaving DNAzyme in Skeleton of DNA Nanocages for Photoactivatable Catalytic Activity Regulation

Abstract

DNAzymes exhibit tremendous application potentials in the field of biosensing and gene regulation due to its unique catalytic function. However, spatiotemporally controlled regulation of DNAzyme activity remains a daunting challenge, which may cause nonspecific signal leakage or gene silencing of the catalytic systems. Here, we report a photochemical approach via modular weaving active DNAzyme into the skeleton of tetrahedral DNA nanocages (TDN) for light‐triggered on‐demand liberation of DNAzyme and thus conditional control of gene regulation activity. We demonstrate that the direct encoding of DNAzyme in TDN could improve the biostability of DNAzyme and ensure the delivery efficiency, comparing with the conventional surface anchoring strategy. Furthermore, the molecular weaving of the DNA nanostructures allows remote control of DNAzyme‐mediated gene regulation with high spatiotemporal precision of light. In addition, we demonstrate that the approach is applicable for controlled regulation of the gene editing functions of other functional nucleic acids.

DNA response element-based smart drug delivery systems for precise drug release

“…Through modular weaving of active DNAzyme into the skeleton of DNA nanocages (TDN), Zhao et al developed a photo-responsive, DNAzyme-based DNA tetrahedron for photoactivatable spatiotemporal control over enzymatic gene regulation activity. 148 This system not only improves the biostability and delivery efficiency of DNAzymes but also enables conditional control of DNAzyme-mediated gene regulation with high spatiotemporal precision.…”

DNA Nanocage-Assisted Size-Selective Recognition and Quantification toward Low-Mass Soluble β-Amyloid Oligomers

“…DNA nanocages are a kind of cagelike nanostructures . Compared to other nanocages (such as metal–organic framework, mesoporous silica, and carbon nanocage), DNA nanocages have the advantages of high biocompatibility, adjustable size, and easy functional modification. , By confining small-size recognition elementssuch as inorganic nanoparticles, aptamers, DNAzymes, and fluorescent molecularwithin the cavities, DNA nanocages have been successfully applied in size-selective molecular recognition for miRNA, small molecules, and metal ions . However, despite these achievements, there have been no reports on their applications for proteins.…”

“…21 Compared to other nanocages (such as metal−organic framework, 22 mesoporous silica, 23 and carbon nanocage 24 ), DNA nanocages have the advantages of high biocompatibility, adjustable size, and easy functional modification. 25,26 By confining small-size recognition elements�such as inorganic nanoparticles, aptamers, 27 DNAzymes, 28 miRNA, 30 small molecules, 31 and metal ions. 32 However, despite these achievements, there have been no reports on their applications for proteins.…”