title: DNA switches: from principles to applications.
abstract: The base sequence of nucleic acid encodes structural and functional properties into the biopolymer. Structural information includes the formation of duplexes, G-quadruplexes, i-motif, and cooperatively stabilized assemblies. Functional information encoded in the base sequence involves the strand-displacement process, the recognition properties by aptamers, and the catalytic functions of DNAzymes. This Review addresses the implementation of the information encoded in nucleic acids to develop DNA switches. A DNA switch is a supramolecular nucleic acid assembly that undergoes cyclic, switchable, transitions between two distinct states in the presence of appropriate triggers and counter triggers, such as pH value, metal ions/ligands, photonic and electrical stimuli. Applications of switchable DNA systems to tailor switchable DNA hydrogels, for the controlled drug-release and for the activation of switchable enzyme cascades, are described, and future perspectives of the systems are addressed.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904 (Israel) http://chem.ch.huji.ac.il/willner/
authors.forename: Fuan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xiaoqing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Itamar
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Willner
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D002384:Catalysis; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry; D021881:DNA, Catalytic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D054856:G-Quadruplexes; D049408:Luminescent Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D008670:Metals / Q000737:chemistry; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D021881:DNA, Catalytic; D049408:Luminescent Agents; D008670:Metals; D004247:DNA
keywords: DNA machines; DNA switches; DNAzymes; electrochemistry; photochemistry