Lighting up three-dimensional nanolantern for circular RNA imaging and precise gene therapy

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression.
• Existing methods for circRNA detection and therapy face limitations in sensitivity and specificity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel three-dimensional nanolantern probe for circRNA imaging and gene therapy.
• To achieve sensitive detection and targeted gene silencing of circRNAs.

Main Methods:

• Construction of an integrated, multi-functionalized DNA nanolantern probe.
• Utilizing entropy-driven strand displacement for nanolantern assembly and siRNA release.
• Employing the nanolantern probe for circCDYL detection and gene silencing.

Main Results:

• Achieved one-step circCDYL detection with a limit of detection of 28.2 aM.
• Demonstrated accurate quantification of circCDYL in breast cancer patients.
• Showcased tumor-specific gene silencing with minimal off-target toxicity and enhanced therapeutic efficiency.

Conclusions:

• The nanolantern probe enables highly sensitive circRNA detection and efficient, targeted gene therapy.
• This strategy holds significant potential for tumor diagnosis and precision medicine.
• The DNA nanolantern offers improved fluorescence stability and resistance to enzymatic digestion compared to linear probes.