Controlling the Catalytic Functions of DNAzymes within Constitutional Dynamic Networks of DNA Nanostructures

Mimicking complex cellular dynamic chemical networks being up-regulated or down-regulated by external triggers is one of the challenges in systems chemistry. Constitutional dynamic networks (CDNs), composed of exchangeable components that respond to environmental triggers by self-adaption, provide general means to mimic biosystems. We use the structural and functional information encoded in nucleic acid nanostructures to construct effector (input)-triggered constitutional dynamic networks that reveal adaptable catalytic properties. Specifically, CDNs composed of four exchangeable constituents, AA′, BA′, AB′, and BB′, are constructed. In the presence of an effector (input) that controls the stability of one of the constituents, the input-guided up-regulation or down-regulation of the CDN’s constituents proceeds. As effectors we apply the fuel-strand stabilization of one of the CDN constituents by the formation of the T-A·T triplex structure, or by the K+-ion-induced stabilization of one of the CDN constitu...