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Updated: Jul 9, 2026

DNAzyme 10-23 - Based Nanomachines for Nucleic Acid Recognition
Published on: February 9, 2024
Membrane-anchored DNA nanodevice with allosteric aptamer arms enables parallel probing and on-site drug delivery
Meiqin Zhang1,2, Yinghao Cheng1, Nan Chen1
1Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China.
Abstract:
DNA-based molecular computation enables targeting of cells via multiple surface receptors. However, existing platforms are often limited to single-receptor detection per operation or rely on freely diffusing components, a common source of off-target interference. Here we show an intelligent DNA nanodevice (DND) that integrates multivalent recognition, logic‑gated computation, and spatially precise drug delivery in a single nanostructure. The DND comprises a doxorubicin-loaded tetrahedral DNA framework (tFNA@Dox) connected via three allosteric aptamer arms to a cholesterol-modified membrane anchor. Simultaneous binding of all three aptamers triggers an AND‑logic gate, releasing tFNA@Dox specifically at the target cell membrane. This localized sense‑and‑act mechanism maximizes therapeutic specificity and minimizes systemic exposure. In tumor-bearing mice, DND@Dox effectively accumulated in tumors, significantly inhibited tumor growth under local and systemic administration, and reduced systemic toxicity. This work establishes a versatile platform for logic‑controlled, multimarker‑guided cancer theranostics.
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