Lanthanide-mediated DNA hydrolysis

Lanthanide ions are remarkably effective catalysts for the hydrolytic cleavage of phosphate ester bonds, including the robust bonds of DNA. This makes Ln(lll) and Ce(IV) ions attractive candidates for developing selective and efficient artificial nucleases, which could have many biochemical and clinical applications. Both small-molecule-based and biopolymer-based lanthanide complexes are being pursued.