DNAzyme-Based Nanostructures for Dynamic Cell Regulation and Sensing

This review systematically explores the cutting-edge advancements in DNAzyme-based nanostructures for dynamic cellular regulation and biosensing. As catalytic DNA molecules, DNAzymes exhibit high stability, programmability, and versatile functionality, making them powerful tools for diverse applications, including metal ion detection, controlled cell-cell interactions, and high-resolution bioimaging. By integrating with nanomaterials such as liposomes, gold nanoparticles, and metal-organic frameworks, DNAzyme systems have overcome inherent limitations such as nuclease susceptibility and poor cellular uptake, thereby significantly enhancing their performance and stability in complex biological environments. Key innovations discussed include logic-gated systems for programmable cell assembly, rRNA-activated sensors for subcellular imaging, and DNAzyme-driven nanodevices like walkers and tweezers for amplified sensing and intracellular manipulation. These developments pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies in targeted gene silencing and combination cancer therapy. Finally, we highlight future directions focusing on context-responsive nanocarriers, multimodal theranostic platforms, and scalable biocompatible designs to promote the clinical translation of DNAzyme technologies.