Catalytic Nucleic Acids for Bioanalysis.

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Chemical Biology

Background:

• Nucleic-acid-based bioaffinity elements, including aptamers and DNAzymes, are derived from systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX).
• Aptamers exhibit target-binding capabilities, while DNAzymes possess catalytic activity for specific chemical reactions.
• Bifunctional nucleic acids merge aptamers and DNAzymes to create novel functionalities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the development and applications of bifunctional catalytic nucleic acids.
• To highlight aptazymes and nucleoapzymes for gene regulation and intracellular biosensing.
• To summarize the potential of these molecules in bioanalysis and biomedical applications.

Main Methods:

• Systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) for isolating nucleic acid ligands.
• Design and construction of bifunctional nucleic acids by coupling aptamers and DNAzymes.
• Review of existing literature on aptazyme and nucleoapzyme applications.

Main Results:

• Aptazymes enable gene expression regulation and amplified intracellular biosensing by integrating aptamer recognition and DNAzyme catalysis.
• Nucleoapzymes enhance DNAzyme catalytic efficiency through substrate concentration via aptamer binding.
• These engineered nucleic acids demonstrate significant potential in various bioanalytical and biomedical fields.

Conclusions:

• Catalytic nucleic acids, particularly aptazymes and nucleoapzymes, represent a powerful class of molecules for advanced bioapplications.
• The combination of recognition and catalytic functions in a single nucleic acid expands their utility in chemical biology and medicine.
• Further research into these engineered nucleic acids promises innovative solutions for diagnostics and therapeutics.