Enzyme-Operated DNA-Based Nanodevices

Abstract

Functional molecular nanodevices and nanomachines have attracted a growing interest for their potential use in life science and nanomedicine. In particular, due to their versatility and modularity DNA-based nanodevices appear extremely promising. However, a limitation of such devices is represented by the limited number of molecular stimuli and cues that can be used to control and regulate their function. Here we demonstrate the possibility to rationally control and regulate DNA-based nanodevices using biocatalytic reactions catalyzed by different enzymes. To demonstrate the versatility of our approach, we have employed three model DNA-based systems and three different enzymes (belonging to several classes, i.e., transferases and hydrolases). The possibility to use enzymes and enzymatic substrates as possible cues to operate DNA-based molecular nanodevices will expand the available toolbox of molecular stimuli to be used in the field of DNA nanotechnology and could open the door to many applications including enzyme-induced drug delivery and enzyme-triggered nanostructures assembly.

Enzyme Catalysis To Power Micro/Nanomachines

“…(B) Control of cargo loading and release by a pH-sensitive DNA switch using proton-producing/proton-consuming enzymes. Reprinted from ref (55). Copyright 2015 American Chemical Society.…”

“…Recently, Ricci and co-workers 55,56 employed different classes of non-DNA-recognizing enzymes, namely, proton-producing and proton-consuming enzymes, to control DNA-based nanodevices through pH-dependent DNA reactions. The researchers demonstrated that a DNA switch could be reversibly triggered into opening or closing states by reactions catalyzed by non-DNA-recognizing enzymes.…”

Naked-eye point-of-care testing platform based on a pH-responsive superwetting surface: toward the non-invasive detection of glucose

“…Urea can be hydrolyzed into ammonium and hydroxyl ions (OH -) based on the urease-catalyzed reaction to raise the pH of the solution 40 . The generated OH -ions caused a switch in the properties of the superwetting surface from hydrophilic to hydrophobic (Fig.…”

DNA-based nanowires and nanodevices

“…In these cases, the DNA nanomachines were fuelled by protons. DNA nanomachines can also be fuelled by enzymes or DNA [35,36]. For example, one type of DNA tweezers can be operated by DNA molecules [35].…”

“…It opens when the 'set' DNA molecule is added, whereas it closes in response to the addition of the 'reset' DNA molecule. An enzyme-operated DNA-switch was proposed recently [36]. Del Grosso and colleagues demonstrated that the opening and closing of a pH-sensitive DNA nanoswitch can be controlled by proton-consuming (glutathione S-transferase) and proton-producing (urease) enzymes, respectively.…”