In vivo RNA targeting in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans using exogenous catalytic DNA

Catalytic DNA molecules (DNAzymes) offer a programmable means to manipulate RNA without genomic modification. Although DNAzymes have been thoroughly characterized in culture and in various animals, their utility in the prevalent model system, Caenorhabditis elegans, has not been explored. Here, we examine the feasibility of catalytic DNA-mediated RNA targeting in C. elegans. Cholesterol-conjugated 8-17 DNAzymes were efficiently delivered to intestinal cells following ingestion, with no visibile toxic effects on growth or health, reducing targeted reporter fluorescence and endogenous gene function. The observed dependence on cholesterol tagging was consistent with a requirement for cellular uptake. Our findings provide a proof-of-principle demonstration of catalytic DNA activity in C. elegans, and highlight considerations for design and optimization. This exploratory study lays the foundation for expanding catalytic nucleic acid technologies in nematodes, supporting future development of programmable RNA tools in a powerful model system.