A DNA triangular prism scaffold-guided directionally-controlled derailment-free DNAzyme walker

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Deoxyribozyme (DNAzyme) walkers offer programmable, stable, and active RNA cleavage for cancer diagnosis and therapy.
• Precise control over DNAzyme walker directionality and progressivity remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To construct a three-dimensional DNA walker that addresses uncertain motion direction.
• To enhance directional control and prevent deviation from a designated track in solution.

Main Methods:

• Utilized gel electrophoresis to analyze substrate cleavage sequences by DNAzyme.
• Investigated DNAzyme cleavage behavior on a DNA triangular prism scaffold.

Main Results:

• DNAzyme demonstrated distance-dependent, sequential substrate cleavage.
• The DNA triangular prism scaffold prevented walker derailment, ensuring directional movement.
• Controllability of DNAzyme cleavage was achieved by manipulating substrate availability.

Conclusions:

• The DNA triangular prism-controlled DNAzyme walker circumvents derailment, offering advantages like low cost and high specificity.
• This system shows significant potential for biosensing, cancer diagnosis, and therapy due to its directional controllability.