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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Combining QD-FRET and Microfluidics to Monitor DNA Nanocomplex Self-Assembly in Real-Time
Published on: August 26, 2009
In Situ Modulating DNAzyme Activity and Internalization Behavior with Acid-Initiated Reconfigurable DNA Nanodevice
Yanli Lei1,2, Jinlu Tang2, Xiaoxiao He2
1Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Cytochemistry, School of Chemistry and Food Engineering, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Changsha, 410114, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
DNAzyme-mediated gene silencing was still challenged by off-target toxicity. In this study, we developed a split DNAzyme-based nanodevice (sDz-ND) that leveraged acidic tumor microenvironments to drive in situ assembly, thus modulating internalization behavior and silencing activity of DNAzymes. sDz-ND consisted of two different modules, which functionalized with split DNAzyme fragments, respectively. At psychological pH (∼7.4), the two modules were monodispersed, showing cleavage anergy and quenched fluorescence. At pH 6.3, the separated modules could cross-link with each other to form integrated sDz-ND, resulting activation of theranostic function. Meanwhile, the increased particle size and acquired multivalent effect favored 2.1-fold enhanced binding ability, which further facilitated rapid endocytosis of sDz-ND into target cancer cells, then allowing DNAzyme mediated gene silencing. The strategy provides a promising and general concept for precise tumor imaging and gene therapy.
