Sequence‐Dependent DNA Functionalization of Upconversion Nanoparticles and Their Programmable Assemblies

DNA‐modified lanthanide‐doped upconversion nanoparticles (DNA‐UCNPs) that combine the functions of DNA and the optical features of UCNPs have shown great promise in a wide range of fields. However, challenges remain in precisely tethering and orienting the DNA strands on the UCNP surface. Herein, we systematically investigate the sequence dependence of DNAs in their interactions with UCNPs, and reveal that poly‐cytosine (poly‐C) has high affinity for the UCNP surface. A general approach to synthesize monodispersed DNA‐UCNP conjugates is developed using poly‐C‐containing diblock DNA strands. The poly‐C segment of the DNA strand binds to the surfaces of UCNPs and the second segment is oriented perpendicularly on the UCNP surface, making the DNA‐UCNPs highly stable and monodispersed in aqueous solution. The dense layer of DNA on the UCNP surface enables the programmable assembly of UCNPs with other DNA‐functionalized nanoparticles or DNA origamis through hybridization, resulting in the formation of well‐organized complex structures.     

上转换纳米粒子结合DNA链式扩增技术在阿霉素光控释放中的应用

纳米技术的发展使得纳米材料可以通过不同的表面包覆和修饰而在生物医药中发挥应用。 构建简单、经济、药物释放可控的生物相容性纳米药物仍是纳米生物化学领域的重点。 我们构建的纳米载药体系(DDS)以NaYF₄：Yb/Tm上转换纳米粒子为载体,在其表面通过光致断键型小分子4,5-二甲氧基-2-硝基苯基乙酮(DMNPE)连接一段短单链DNA,利用DNA链式扩增技术(HCR)来调节纳米粒子最终修饰的双链DNA的总量,从而控制对抗癌药物阿霉素(Dox)的担载量,在980 nm激光照射下上转换纳米粒子发射可切断DMNPE连接的近紫外光,协同胞内DNA酶的作用达到对药物的可控释放。 由于近红外光照对生物组织具有较好的穿透能力,此体系能够对病灶位置有更好的光靶向性从而减少药物的毒副作用。     

Valence‐Engineering of Quantum Dots Using Programmable DNA Scaffolds

Precise control over the valency of quantum dots (QDs) is critical and fundamental for quantitative imaging in living cells. However, prior approaches on valence control of QDs remain restricted to single types of valences. A DNA‐programmed general strategy is presented for valence engineering of QDs with high modularity and high yield. By employing a series of programmable DNA scaffolds, QDs were generated with tunable valences in a single step with near‐quantitative yield (>95 %). The use of these valence‐engineered QDs was further demonstrated to develop 12 types of topologically organized QDs‐QDs and QDs‐AuNPs and 4 types of fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET) nanostructures. Quantitative analysis of the FRET nanostructures and live‐cell imaging reveal the high potential of these nanoprobes in bioimaging and nanophotonic applications.     

金纳米粒子组装体的连续离散型纳米结构控制

采用柠檬酸钠还原氯金酸的方法,制备出粒径均一的金纳米粒子(AuNPs),通过加入二水合双(对-磺酰苯基)苯基膦化二钾盐(BSPP),增强了AuNPs体系的分散性与稳定性.选用直径为15和40nm的AuNPs,用不同序列巯基修饰的单链DNA连接到其表面,通过DNA链的杂交,形成不同结构的金纳米粒子组装体.通过改变加入DNA延长连接单元的比例,可以控制金纳米粒子组装体具有连续离散型的1∶1,2∶1和3∶1纳米结构.     

二维DNA晶体的程序化设计与自组装的研究进展

按照Watson-Crick的碱基配对原则，在理论上能够人工设计与合成DNA碱基序列并自组装成任何一维和二维结构的DNA晶体。DNA分子这种底端向上(bottom-up)的自组装模式为我们提供了一种精确合成纳米材料的方法。本文将从程序化设计、合成刚性的DNA分子瓦(DNA tile)、分子瓦自组装成二维DNA晶体以及二维DNA晶体作为模板在纳米技术中的应用等方面展开，简述这一新奇的并且有着潜在应用前景的研究领域的最新进展。     

基于DNA的细胞膜功能化

细胞膜在细胞与外界环境间的物质运输、能量转换和信息传递等过程中起着重要作用,研究和控制细胞膜上的分子的相互作用,对理解和操控细胞的生理功能具有重要意义。脱氧核糖核酸(Deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA)分子具有精确自组装和可编程的特性,是一种研究生物膜分子相互作用的新工具。本综述中,我们概括了DNA分子修饰细胞膜的方法,随后介绍了基于DNA分子的监测、控制细胞膜分子相互作用的工作以及DNA分子介导细胞连接的研究,并分析了上述研究的局限性。最后,我们对基于DNA的细胞膜功能化研究进行总结与展望,以期促进对细胞膜功能的新认识,获得控制细胞功能的新方法。     

Two-Dimensional Supramolecular Polymerization of DNA Amphiphiles is Driven by Sequence-Dependent DNA-Chromophore Interactions

Two-dimensional (2D) assemblies of water-soluble block copolymers have been limited by a dearth of systematic studies that relate polymer structure to pathway mechanism and supramolecular morphology. Here, we employ sequence-defined triblock DNA amphiphiles for the supramolecular polymerization of free-standing DNA nanosheets in water. Our systematic modulation of amphiphile sequence shows the alkyl chain core forming a cell membrane-like structure and the distal π-stacking chromophore block folding back to interact with the hydrophilic DNA block on the nanosheet surface. This interaction is crucial to sheet formation, marked by a chiral “signature”, and sensitive to DNA sequence, where nanosheets form with a mixed sequence, but not with a homogeneous poly(thymine) sequence. This work opens the possibility of forming well-ordered, bilayer-like assemblies using a single DNA amphiphile for applications in cell sensing, nucleic acid therapeutic delivery and enzyme arrays.     

Control of Biocatalytic Transformations by Programmed DNA Assemblies

This study demonstrates the self‐assembly of inhibitor/enzyme‐tethered nucleic acid fragments or enzyme I‐, enzyme II‐modified nucleic acids into functional nanostructures that lead to the controlled inhibition of the enzyme or the activation of an enzyme cascade. In one system, the anti‐cocaine aptamer subunits are modified with monocarboxy methylene blue (MB⁺) as the inhibitor and with choline oxidase (ChOx). The cocaine‐induced self‐assembly of the aptamer subunits complex results in the inhibition of ChOx by MB⁺. In a further configuration, two nucleic acids of limited complementarity are functionalized at their 3′ and 5′ ends with glucose oxidase (GOx) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP), respectively, or with MB⁺ and ChOx. In the presence of a target DNA sequence, synergistic complementary base‐pairing occurs, thus leading to stable supramolecular Y‐shaped nanostructures of the nucleic acid units. A GOx/HRP bienzyme cascade or the programmed inhibition of ChOx by MB⁺ is demonstrated in the resulting nucleic acid nanostructures. A quantitative theoretical model that describes the nucleic acid assemblies and that results in the inhibition of ChOx by MB⁺ or in the activation of the GOx/HRP cascade, respectively, is provided.     

Assemblies of Peptides in a Complex Environment and their Applications

Using peptide assemblies with emergent properties to achieve elaborate functions has attracted increasing attention in recent years. Besides tailoring the self‐assembly of peptides in vitro, peptide research is advancing into a new and exciting frontier: the rational design of peptide assemblies (or their derivatives) for biological functions in a complex environment. This Minireview highlights recent developments in peptide assemblies and their applications in biological systems. After introducing the unique merits of peptide assemblies, we discuss the recent progress in designing peptides (or peptide derivatives) for self‐assembly with conformational control. Then, we describe biological functions of peptide assemblies, with an emphasis on approach‐instructed assembly for spatiotemporal control of peptide assemblies, in the cellular context. Finally, we discuss the future promises and challenges of this exciting area of chemistry.     

Programmable DNA Nanoflowers for Biosensing,Bioimaging, and Therapeutics

DNA nanostructures have shown excellent prospects in biomedical applications owing to their unique sequence programmability, function designability, and biocompatibility. As a type of unique DNA–inorganic hybrid nanostructures, DNA nanoflowers (DNFs) have attracted considerable attention in the past few years. Precise design of the DNA sequence enables the functions of DNFs to be customized. Specifically, DNFs exhibit high physiological stability and more diverse properties by virtue of the incorporation of inorganic materials, which in turn have been applied in an assortment of biomedical fields. In this review, the design, synthesis, and biomedical applications of programmable DNFs are discussed. First, the background of DNA-based materials and the fundamentals of DNFs are briefly introduced. In the second part, two synthetic methods of DNFs are categorized as the rolling circle amplification and salt aging method, focusing on the formation mechanism of DNFs and differences between the synthetic methods. In the third part, the biomedical applications of DNFs functional materials are summarized, including biosensing, bioimaging, and therapeutics. Finally, the challenges and future opportunities of DNFs are discussed toward more widespread applications.