Functional Nucleic Acids for DNA Nanotechnology - DNA Nanotechnology: From Structure to Function - page 19

Fig. 2.8 Scheme of self-assembly DNA icosahedra. Five DNA strands stepwise assemble into
sticky-ended five-point-star motifs. Five-point-star motifs then further assemble into DNA-icosa.
Doxorubicin is then intercalated into both DNA-icosa and Apt-DNA-icosa. The doxorubicin-
intercalated area is highlighted (Reprinted with the permission from Ref. [ 85 ]. Copyright 2011
American Chemical Society)

DNA cage which will automatically release its cargo upon interacting with target
cells. The DNA nanorobot consists of two laminas made of DNA origami with
protruding nucleic acid for anchoring molecular payloads and clasped by DNA
duplexes containing aptamer sequence that acts as “locks” for the clam-shaped
container. The “keys” are the cell-generated biomarkers. The formation of aptamer-
target complexes unlocks the clam-like container, exposes the payloads to the cell,
and thus stimulates the cell activities. The study shows that aptamer-functionalized
DNA nanostructures can be engineered with payload delivery to induce cell
signaling pathways.

2.3.5 DNA Assembly with FNAs for Nanodevice Construction

The field of nanodevices has stimulated much research during the last two decades.
Nanodevices have the capability to produce controlled nanoscale movements. In
particular, the unique molecular recognition properties of FNAs have been widely
used to devise a number of nanomachines that produce conformation changes and
mechanical responses.
An aptamer nanomachine has been designed to have particular function that
can cyclically bind and release protein [ 87 ]. The machine is based on the 15-
base thrombin aptamer with a 12-base additional toehold section on 5 0 -end (AP).