DNA-associated click chemistry

This review highlights the most recent advances in click chemistry associated with DNA. CuI]-catalyzed azides-alkynes Huisgen cycloadditions (CuAAC) and a strain-promoted alkyne-azide cycloaddition (SPAAC) are two popular click reactions that have great impact in DNA science. The simplicity, versatility, orthogonality, and high efficiency of click reaction along with a stable triazole product have been instrumental for the successful application of this reaction in the field of nucleic acid chemistry. CuAAC and SPAAC reactions have been widely used for DNA modification, including DNA labeling, metallization, conjugation, cross-linking, and ligation. Modified oligodeoxynucleotides obtained from click reaction have been extensively applied in the fields of drug discovery, nanotechnology, bio-conjugation, and material sciences, among others. The most recent advances in the synthesis and applications of clickable DNAs are discussed in detail in this article.