8-17 DNAzyme Silencing Gene Expression in Cells via Cleavage and Antisense

Gene silencing is an important biological strategy for studying gene functions, exploring disease mechanisms and developing therapeutics. 8-17 DNAzyme is of great potential for gene silencing, due to its higher RNA-cleaving activity. However, it is not generally used in practice, due to its divalent cation dependence and poor understanding of its cellular mechanisms. To address these issues, we have explored its activity in vitro and in cells and found that it can cleave RNA substrates under the simulated physiological conditions, and its gene-silencing activity is additionally enhanced by its RNase H compatibility, offering both cleavage and antisense activities in cells. Further, chemical modifications can facilitate its stability, substrate binding affinity and gene-silencing activity. Our research results suggest that this DNAzyme can demonstrate high levels of activities for both actions in cells, making it a useful tool for exploring biomedical applications.

Automated summary

Gene silencing is an important strategy for studying gene functions and diseases. 8-17 DNAzyme has high potential for gene silencing, but it is not widely used due to certain limitations. In this study, we explored its activity and found that it can cleave RNA substrates in simulated physiological conditions and its gene-silencing activity is enhanced by its compatibility with RNase H. Chemical modifications also improve its stability and gene-silencing activity. Our research suggests that this DNAzyme can be a useful tool for biomedical applications.