Title:The Application of Tetrahedral Framework Nucleic Acids as a Drug Carrier in Biomedicine Fields
Volume: 16
Issue: 1
Author(s): Xiaolin Zhang, Nanxin Liu, Mi Zhou, Songhang Li and Xiaoxiao Cai*
Affiliation:
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041,China
Keywords:
Tetrahedral, framework nucleic acids, drug-delivery, nanomaterials, nanoscale size, tetrahedron.
Abstract: In recent years, tetrahedral Framework Nucleic Acids(tFNAs) have become a hot topic in
the field of DNA nanostructures because of their stable structures, nanoscale size, superior mechanical
properties and convenient synthesis with high yield. tFNAs are considered promising drug delivery
carriers because they can pass through the cellular membrane without any help and they have a good
biocompatibility and biodegradability. Besides, they have rich modification sites, they can be modified
by kinds of functional groups. The functionalization molecules can be modified on the vertexes, embedded
between the double-stranded DNA of the tetrahedron edges, hanged on the edges, or encapsulated
in the cage-like structure of the tetrahedron. The structure of tetrahedron can also be intelligently
controlled through smart design, such as integrating DNA hairpin loop structure onto the edges.
Nowadays, DNA tetrahedron will have a broader development prospect in the application of drug
transport carriers and intelligent drug carriers. Therefore, DNA material is a new carrier material with
great advantages and has a very broad application prospect in the construction of an intelligent drug
transport system.
