Highly sensitive self-complementary DNA nanoswitches triggered by polyelectrolytes
作者：Jincai Wu, Feng Yu, Zheng Zhang, Yong Chen, Jie Du*
關鍵字：DNA nanomachine, cationic comb-type copolymer
論文來源：期刊
發表時間：2016年
Dimerization of two homologous strands of genomic DNA/RNA is an essential feature of retroviral replication. Herein we show that a cationic comb-type copolymer (CCC), poly(L-lysine)-graft-dextran, accelerates the dimerization of self-complementary stem–loop DNA, frequently found in functional DNA/RNA molecules, such as aptamers. Furthermore, an anionic polymer poly(sodium vinylsulfonate) (PVS) dissociates CCC from the duplex shortly within a few seconds. Then single stem–loop DNA spontaneously transforms from its dimer. Thus we can easily control the dimer and stem–loop DNA by switching on/off CCC activity. Both polyelectrolytes and DNA concentrations are in the nanomole per liter range. The polyelectrolyte-assisted transconformation and sequences design strategy ensures the reversible state control with rapid response and effective switching under physiologically relevant conditions. A further application of this sensitive assembly is to construct an aptamer-type drug delivery system, bind or release functional molecules responding to its transconformation.