MNAzyme probes mediated DNA logic platform for microRNAs logic detection and cancer cell identification

Abstract

Here, a MNAzyme probes mediated DNA logic platform was developed for microRNAs (miRNAs) logic detection and cancer cells identification. A series of MNAzyme probes containing the cleavage active center were designed. Four types of logic gates were constructed, including YES, AND, XOR and NOR gate. These logic gates used miRNAs that were high expression in cancer cells as logic inputs and used MNAzyme cleavage amplification reaction to output signals. For the construction of intracellular logic gates, MnO₂ nanosheets were used as carriers and cofactor providers. When MnO₂ nanoprobes entered the cells through endocytosis, the intracellular glutathione degraded the MnO₂ nanosheets to release the cofactor Mn²⁺ and MNAzyme probes. The MNAzyme probes bound to the miRNAs and catalyze the MNAzyme cleavage amplification reaction, producing enhanced fluorescent signal with "true" output. The logic detection of miRNAs was achieved by integrating information from the AND, XOR and NOR logic gates. Moreover, through the construction of intracellular YES and AND logic gates, the cancer cells identification, especially the identification of same type of cancer cells with different phenotypes was achieved. These experimental results showed that this platform held great promise in accurate diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Keywords: Cancer cells identification; DNA logic platform; MNAzyme cleavage amplification reaction; MNAzyme probes; MicroRNA.