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Updated: Sep 27, 2025
Author Spotlight: Engineering Molecular Tools for Disease Detection and Imaging
Published on: December 8, 2023
An activatable DNA nanodevice for correlated imaging of apoptosis-related dual proteins
Zhixiang Li1,2, Xueyan Feng2, Wenping Hu1
1Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin 300072, China.
Abstract:
Apoptosis plays an important role in the life cycle of multicellular organisms. The development of techniques for sensitive monitoring of apoptosis-related key molecules can be used to assess not only disease progression but also its therapeutic interventions. However, there is still a lack of an imaging probe amenable for simultaneously detecting multiple biomarkers during drug-induced apoptosis. Herein, a novel activatable DNA nanodevice was designed to image apoptosis-related dual proteins in real time. The turn-on and specific recognition properties of our probe allow the spatially selective detection of apoptotic-related marker cytochrome c and apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 in living cells. We demonstrated that the DNA nanodevice has the ability to monitor apoptosis and evaluate the efficacy of apoptosis-related drugs, which potentially can be used as a tool to evaluate the molecular mechanism of apoptosis regulation or to screen apoptotic drugs.
Insights
Researchers developed a novel DNA nanodevice for real-time imaging of apoptosis. This tool can simultaneously detect dual apoptosis biomarkers, aiding disease monitoring and drug efficacy evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Apoptosis is crucial for multicellular life and disease progression.
- Monitoring apoptosis biomarkers aids disease assessment and therapeutic evaluation.
- Current imaging probes lack the ability to detect multiple biomarkers simultaneously during drug-induced apoptosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design a novel DNA nanodevice for real-time, simultaneous imaging of apoptosis-related dual proteins.
- To enable spatially selective detection of key apoptosis markers in living cells.
- To establish a tool for monitoring apoptosis and evaluating drug efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Designed an activatable DNA nanodevice.
- Utilized specific recognition properties for target biomarkers.
- Demonstrated real-time imaging in living cells.
Main Results:
- The DNA nanodevice successfully imaged apoptosis-related dual proteins in real time.
- Achieved spatially selective detection of cytochrome c and apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1.
- Showcased the nanodevice's ability to monitor apoptosis and assess drug efficacy.
Conclusions:
- The developed DNA nanodevice enables sensitive, simultaneous detection of apoptosis biomarkers.
- This probe facilitates real-time monitoring of apoptosis and evaluation of drug effects.
- The nanodevice holds potential for studying apoptosis mechanisms and screening drugs.
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