DNA-Based Enzyme Reactors and Systems

During recent years, the possibility to create custom biocompatible nanoshapes using DNA as a building material has rapidly emerged. Further, these rationally designed DNA structures could be exploited in positioning pivotal molecules, such as enzymes, with nanometer-level precision. This feature co...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Veikko Linko, Sami Nummelin, Laura Aarnos, Kosti Tapio, J. Jussi Toppari, Mauri A. Kostiainen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2016-07-01
Series:Nanomaterials
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/6/8/139
Description
Summary:During recent years, the possibility to create custom biocompatible nanoshapes using DNA as a building material has rapidly emerged. Further, these rationally designed DNA structures could be exploited in positioning pivotal molecules, such as enzymes, with nanometer-level precision. This feature could be used in the fabrication of artificial biochemical machinery that is able to mimic the complex reactions found in living cells. Currently, DNA-enzyme hybrids can be used to control (multi-enzyme) cascade reactions and to regulate the enzyme functions and the reaction pathways. Moreover, sophisticated DNA structures can be utilized in encapsulating active enzymes and delivering the molecular cargo into cells. In this review, we focus on the latest enzyme systems based on novel DNA nanostructures: enzyme reactors, regulatory devices and carriers that can find uses in various biotechnological and nanomedical applications.
ISSN:2079-4991