Implementation of logic operations and bioanalysis based on DNA allostery-regulated nanometallic catalysis

This work reports exquisite logic manipulation of nanometallic catalysis of DNA-templated silver nanoclusters (DNA-AgNCs) based on designative input-responsive DNA allostery and distinct inhibition effects of duplexes and triplexes on catalytic activity. A series of molecular logic gates (YES, OR, INHIBIT, XOR and MAJORITY) are presented, which are capable to control the catalytic activity of DNA-AgNCs in logic manners. Distinct from most of previous DNA-AgNC-based logic gates, its catalytic effect is adopted as the output signal instead of variable fluorescence, which offers a novel and robust approach for fabrication of molecular logic gate. One of the logic systems performs multiple bioanalysis of cardiac biomarkers (cardiac troponin I and myoglobin). Hence, it is worthwhile to anticipate intelligent detection of more significant disease biomarkers will be attained with the low-cost and universal platform. Moreover, the integration of programmable DNA reaction and aptamer recognition endows DNA-AgNCs catalytic specificity, which will give us hints how to devise smart DNA-functionalized nanomaterials.