Author(s)

Yifan Chen, Pufan Han, Kuo Xiao

Corresponding Author

Kuo Xiao

ABSTRACT

In the past several decades, DNA molecules have gained much attention beyond their genetic functionality to be utilized as powerful synthetic building blocks to create nanoscaled architectures and versatile programmable templates for nanomaterials assembly. Like the major types of functional DNA nano-structural basis, DNAzymes, aptamers, and aptazymes, the combination of DNAzymes and aptamers are thus reviewed in this paper. DNAzymes are catalytically active single-stranded DNA fragments produced in vitro via molecular evolution. Because of their superior programmability, stability, and activity, RNA-cleaving DNAzymes have gotten a lot of interest for applications in sensing, treatments, and nanodevices. Aptamers are a series of single-stranded nucleic acid molecules that bind to a specific target molecule. Aptamers are widely used in biosensors and some other nano-devices in therapeutic usage due to their high affinity, stability and safety. The aptazyme is an oligonucleotide composed of an aptamer and a ribozyme (or deoxyribose). Therefore, It has the properties of both, which are excellent selectivity and affinity for the binding to the target material, as well as catalytic activity. This review is dedicated to various bio-nano science applications of DNAzymes, aptamers and aptazymes, such as sensors and therapeutic devices. Moreover,it provides the foundation for future research.

KEYWORDS

DNAzymes, aptamers, aptazymes