Dynamic Transformation of DNA Nanostructures inside Living Cells

Abstract

DNA nanostructures, that show sequence programmable responsiveness to intracellular signals, have been explored as potential candidates of artificial dynamic functional structures in living cells. Recently, we developed a series of intracellular signals responding DNA nanostructures in living cells to perform a special mission. In this review, the developed DNA nanostructures and their dynamic transformation properties are summarized and discussed. The DNA nanostructures are generally categorized into DNA-inorganic nanomaterials and DNA-organic nanomaterials depending on the composition. At the end of this review, the challenges and prospects on instructing dynamic DNA nanostructures in living cells are discussed. We believe that this review will contribute to the further development of stimuli-responsive nanomaterials, which is of great potential in biomedical applications.