Triplex DNA Nanostructures: From Basic Properties to Applications

Abstract

Triplex nucleic acids have recently attracted interest as part of the rich "toolbox" of structures used to develop DNA-based nanostructures and materials. This Review addresses the use of DNA triplexes to assemble sensing platforms and molecular switches. Furthermore, the pH-induced, switchable assembly and dissociation of triplex-DNA-bridged nanostructures are presented. Specifically, the aggregation/deaggregation of nanoparticles, the reversible oligomerization of origami tiles and DNA circles, and the use of triplex DNA structures as functional units for the assembly of pH-responsive systems and materials are described. Examples include semiconductor-loaded DNA-stabilized microcapsules, DNA-functionalized dye-loaded metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and the pH-induced release of the loads. Furthermore, the design of stimuli-responsive DNA-based hydrogels undergoing reversible pH-induced hydrogel-to-solution transitions using triplex nucleic acids is introduced, and the use of triplex DNA to assemble shape-memory hydrogels is discussed. An outlook for possible future applications of triplex nucleic acids is also provided.

Stimuli‐Responsive DNA Self‐Assembly: From Principles to Applications

“…Among these research areas, triplex/duplexs witching and i-motif/single-strand DNA transformation are two commons trategies. [16,17] In acidic environments, triple-stranded DNA helices( also known as aD NA triplex)a re formed throughC -G·C + and T-A·T triads brought together by Watson-Crick (denotedb y" -") and Hoogsteen ("·") hydrogen bonds. The C-G·C + structure requires ap rotonated cytosine ("C + ") to enable its Hoogsteen hydrogen bondingw ith the central guanine base already paired with another Cf ollowing the Watson-Crickm odel.A ccordingly, the triplex stabilized by C-G·C + triplets dissociates into a duplex and as ingle-stranded counterpart in neutral or basic solutions.…”

Winners of the Emanuel Merck Lectureship and the Heinrich Emanuel Merck Award

“…Torsi's research interests include organic bioelectronic sensors for biomarker detection. She has outlined the field of printable bioelectronics for the investigation of biological interfaces in a Review in Angewandte Chemie …”

Gewinner der Emanuel‐Merck‐Vorlesung und des Heinrich‐Emanuel‐Merck‐Preises

“…Ricci entwickelt funktionelle Nanosysteme für Diagnostik und Wirkstofftransport auf der Basis von synthetischer DNA. Die Angewandte Chemie veröffentlichte kürzlich einen Aufsatz von ihm über Triplex‐DNA‐Nanostrukturen …”