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The progressive development of amplified DNA sensors using nucleic acid-based machineries, involving the isothermal autonomous synthesis of the Mg2+-dependent DNAzyme, is used for the amplified, multiplexed analysis of genes (Smallpox, TP53) and metal ions (Ag+, Hg2+). The DNA sensing machineries are based on the assembly of two sensing modules consisting of two nucleic add scaffolds that indude recognition sites for the two genes and replication tracks that yield the nicking domains for NtBbvCI and two different Mg2+-dependent DNAzyme sequences. In the presence of any of the genes or the genes together, their binding to the respective recognition sequences triggers the nicking/polymerization machineries, leading to the synthesis of two different Mg2+-dependent DNAzyme sequences. The cleavage of two different fluorophore/quencher-modified substrates by the respective DNAzymes leads to the fluorescence of F1 and/or F2 as readout signals for the detection of the genes. The detection limits for analyzing the Smallpox and TPS3 genes correspond to 0.1 nM Similarly, two different nucleic add scaffolds that indude Ag+-ions or Hg2+-ions recognition sequences and the replication tracks that yield the NtBbvCI nicking domains and the respective Mg2+-dependent DNAzyme sequences are implemented as niddng/replication machineries for the amplified, multiplexed analysis of the two ions, with detection limits corresponding to 1 nM. The ions sensing modules reveal selectivities dominated by the respective recognition sequences associated with the scaffolds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on approaches in DNA nanostructures for activation of catalytic DNA cascades and use of the DNA nanostructures for control in reaction, sensing, logic operations, and assembly of complex nanostructures. Topics discussed include formation of DNA nanostructures by the autonomous hybridization chain reaction (HCR), use of catalytic nucleic acids DNAzymes in designing of logic gate systems and activation of catalytic cascade by coupling reaction of DNAzymes.

The amplified, highly sensitive detection of DNA using the dendritic rolling circle amplification (RCA) is introduced. The analytical platform includes a circular DNA and a structurally tailored hairpin structure. The circular nucleic acid template includes a recognition sequence for the analyte DNA (the Tay-Sachs mutant gene), a complementary sequence to the Mg2+-dependent DNAzyme, and a sequence identical to the loop region of the coadded hairpin structure. The functional hairpin in the system consists of the analyte-sequence that is caged in the stem region and a single-stranded loop domain that communicates with the RCA product. The analyte activates the RCA process, leading to DNA chains consisting of the Mg2+-dependent DNAzyme and sequences that are complementary to the loop of the functional hairpin structure. Opening of the coadded hairpin releases the caged analyte sequence, resulting in the dendritic RCA-induced synthesis of the Mg2+-dependent DNAzyme units. The DNAzyme-catalyzed cleavage of a fluorophore/quencher-modified substrate leads to a fluorescence readout signal. The method enabled the analysis of the target DNA with a detection limit corresponding to 1 aM. By the design of two different circular DNAs that include recognition sites for two different target genes, complementary sequences for two different Mg2+-dependent DNAzyme sequences and two different functional hairpin structures, the dendritic RCA-stimulated multiplexed analysis of two different genes is demonstrated. The amplified dendritic RCA detection of DNA is further implemented to yield the hemin/G-quadruplex horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-mimicking DNAzyme as catalytic labels that provide colorimetric or chemiluminescent readout signals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The progressive development of amplified DNA sensors and aptasensors using replication/nicking enzymes/DNAzyme machineries is described. The sensing platforms are based on the tailoring of a DNA template on which the recognition of the target DNA or the formation of the aptamer-substrate complex trigger on the autonomous isothermal replication/nicking processes and the displacement of a Mg2+-dependent DNAzyme that catalyzes the generation of a fluorophore-labeled nucleic acid acting as readout signal for the analyses. Three different DNA sensing configurations are described, where in the ultimate configuration the target sequence is incorporated into a nucleic acid blocker structure associated with the sensing template. The target-triggered isothermal autonomous replication/nicking process on the modified template results in the formation of the Mg2+-dependent DNAzyme tethered to a free strand consisting of the target sequence. This activates additional template units for the nucleic acid self-replication process, resulting in the ultrasensitive detection of the target DNA (detection limit 1 aM). Similarly, amplified aptamer-based sensing platforms for cocaine are developed along these concepts. The modification of the cocaine-detection template by the addition of a nucleic acid sequence that enables the autonomous secondary coupled activation of a polymerization/nicking machinery and DNAzyme generation path leads to an improved analysis of cocaine (detection limit 10 nM). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Zn2+-dependent ligation DNAzyme is implemented as a biocatalyst for the amplified detection of a target DNA by the autonomous replication of a nucleic acid reporter unit that is generated by the catalyzed ligation process. The reporter units enhance the formation of active DNAzyme units, thus leading to the isothermal auto-catalytic formation of the reporter elements. The system was further developed and applied for the amplified detection of Tay-Sachs genetic disorder mutant, with a detection limit of 1.0 × 10-11 M. Besides providing a versatile paradigm for the amplified detection of DNA, the system reveals a new, enzyme-free, isothermal, autocatalytic mechanism that introduces means for effective programmed synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]